Obituary of Carmen Rita (Bella) Carr

Carmen, gracefully, passed away while living in Medford, Oregan in June of 2023, after valiantly giving it her best as she fought several health issues including a debilitating stoke 9 months prior.  

 A Catholic Mass and internment were celebrated in her home town of Fernie B.C., at Holy Family Parish, as several of her nieces, nephews and childhood friends joyfully celebrated her beautiful, caring & vibrant life.

Carmen & her husband Ken, the love of her life for 33 years, retired in Medford. They passionately traveled the world via cruising, met while both were on board a cruise and together, they partook in some 24 cruises. They both enjoyed the horse races and visiting a casino or two.

Carmen was an accomplished skier and while living in Edmonton after graduating from Fernie High, she enjoyed many a weekend in the majestic mountains of Jasper and Banff. She was a passionate Edmonton Eskimo fan and deeply loved opera, especially concerts that included, Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo and Andrea Bocelli. While growing up in Fernie, Carmen, just as her older siblings, played the organ at Holy Family Parish & participated in many a concert that involved singing. If a good tune was playing on the radio, Carmen could be heard singing along, smiling & cackling!

After attending Business School in Edmonton & graduating, Carmen pursued an accomplished & distinguished career in the Insurance Industry. She rose through the ranks of Reed Stenhouse as one of their first female Vice Presidents.

Throughout life Carmen remained a devote Catholic and faithfully prayed to St. Jude for not just the health concerns of her own, but that of her brothers, sisters and her beloved nieces, nephews and dear friends.  Carmen’s sincere concern for others will be missed by her close friends in Medford and Edmonton, but most of all her nieces and nephews both in Canada and US.

Carmen the 14^th child her parents Nellie & John & predeceased both; brothers, Slim, Johnnie, Jerry, Hank, Tommy; sisters Margaret, Virginia, Gypsy, Helen, Monica, Leona, Patricia & Delphine. She is survived by her nieces Rita & Peg who were like sisters as they grew up together; many nieces, nephews, Godchildren, childhood friends known as the “3 Musketeers”, compassionate Medford friends and Ken’s family.

Carmen will be remembered mostly for her infectious laugh, her compassion, love of life & faithfulness & love of the Holy Family.

Rest in Peace Aunty Carmen - Until we meet again and hear once again, “Crikey”! 

Love is Patient, Love is Kind.

It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.

It always trusts, always, perseveres, always hopes.

1 Corinthians 13

 

The Family wish with heartfelt gratitude to express our sincere appreciation for the compassionate care of friends and caregivers Carmen received in her time of need and a heartfelt thank you to Father Thomas and the parishioners of Holy Family Parish for their grace in celebrating Carmen.