Carmen
R.
Matus
(Mayans)
Carmen R. Matus Mayans, age 87, of Mt. Laurel, NJ passed away on March 7, 2023.
Carmen was born in Barranquilla, Colombia to the late Jose Mayans and Mercedes Plata. She resided in Chicago, Il having arrived with $25 in her name. She become a licensed hairdresser, married, divorced, raised her only daughter and retired early after a long career as a hairdresser when with the support of her loving-son-in-law she was reunited with her daughter. In her free time, she enjoyed floral arranging, dancing, and singing, and doing word searches. She insisted on going out every day to see people, get some air and see what wonders nature was displaying that day. Carmen also hugged and thanked every military person she saw in uniform and ensured that neighborhood children had lollipops.
One of her sayings was that it was better to be of service than to be served. Her second career came as a volunteer at Congreso de Latinos Unidos, Inc. in Philadelphia where she provided nutritional support to persons living with HIV and created friends and a second family. She was recognized as volunteer of the year in 2003.
She is survived by her daughter, Lorett Matus; sister, Margot Amador; sister-in-law Angelina Mayans and her loving nieces and nephews:
Rocha Family: Maria, Fabiola, Mappy, Jose Maria, Judit
Amador Family: Jorge, Lucho, Alberto, Rocio, Sandy, Alma
Mayans Family: Divina, Orlando, Rene.
Celebration of Life Luncheon. Dooney’s Irish Pub in Delran Sunday, March 12 from 4-8pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Carmen’s memory may be made to Congreso de Latinos Unidos at the following link: https://congreso.salsalabs.org/generaldonationform/index.html or
Samaritian Hospice: 3906 Church Rd, Mt Laurel Township, NJ 08054 or www.samaritannj.org.