In loving memory of
Carmen A. Henao
May 4, 1939 - August 22, 2019
Carmen Alicia Henao Samur
Carmen was born in the town of Tolu Viejo, Colombia on May 4th, 1939. She was the oldest child of Diana Vargas and Arturo Samur. Carmen was raised by her Aunt, Sarita Samur, who came to be known by all as Carmen's mom for the remainder of her life.
Carmen was a spirited soul, who played basketball among other activities while growing up in Sincelejo, a coastal town on the Colombian Caribbean coast. There she developed her zest for life: particularly great food, the importance of being close with family and friends, and her love for Colombian Vallenato music.
In her mid twenties, she moved to Cartagena to live with family and to pursue a career in banking. Not long after, she met her future husband, Carlos Eduardo Henao. They were married on May 1, 1965, and remained married until Carlos' death 49 years later. They had two children together, Carlos Arturo and Martha Lucia. In 1969 they began the process of moving the family to the US, and in 1971 settled in Miami.
Once in Miami, Carmen was a mother first, and always took a pro-active role in her kids education. But, before long, Carmen became a successful business owner, along with Carlos. She seemed to have endless energy, somehow juggling her home duties, with the demands of running a business. True to her nature, Carmen's clients were treated like family, and she developed lifelong friendships with those clients.
For Carmen, lifelong friendships were the norm. Being far from family in Colombia was not easy, but she made lifelong friendships in the US, that remain to this day. She will remembered for her giving and outgoing nature, her great cooking - particularly Colombian and Lebanese cuisine, and her unwavering commitment to those closest to her. She will also be remembered for her tenacity and grit in the face of tough situations.
She was predeceased by her brother Fernando, and is survived by her Sisters - Blanca, Olga and Nancy; her son, Carlos; daughter, Martha; her 3 grandchildren: Isaiah, Elijah, and Sarita; her son-in-law, Brent, whom will always remember her as "Tata".
Services will be held on Saturday August 31, 2019, starting at 11:00 at St Mark's Catholic Church, 5601 S Flamingo Rd, Southwest Ranches, FL 33330, followed by viewing at Fred Hunter's Funeral Home, 6301 Taft Street, Hollywood, FL 33024. Tel (954) 989-1550.
In Lieu of flowers, the family encourages you to make a donation in the name of Carmen and Carlos Henao to the Alzheimer's Association at http://act.alz.org/goto/Tata_Papi_Henao