Obituaries

Carmen Maria Vazquez, 94, passed away on Thursday, July 16, 2026. Carmen was a native of Puerto Rico, had lived in New York City, and then migrated to Newport News to be close to her family. She was a childcare worker in her home and a homemaker. Carmen was a Christian but later converted to Catholicism and attended Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Carmelo and Carmela Santana, and her spouse of over 48 years, Hector Vazquez. She is survived by two daughters, Lizette (Chris) and Genevive (Bob), and a daughter of the heart, her dear sister’s child, Denise (Paul) whom she helped to raise; two sons, Hector, Jr. (Judy) and Orlando (Lourdes); 10 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; four sisters, one of whom is surviving; five brothers, one of whom is surviving; and numerous nieces and nephews and other family members.

Carmen was a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother to her family, and a loving “grandmother” to the children she cared for in her home. She loved having the family over for meals during holidays and reunions; she loved crossword puzzles and traveling; she was a devoted church member; and she was very social and always a hard worker.

Carmen was a lively and expressive woman who loved attention. She deserved the attention after taking care of her family from the time they migrated from Puerto Rico until they established themselves in the United States.

Carmen’s legacy is one of unconditional love, deep faith, and a life spent serving others. She will be deeply missed and forever loved by all who were blessed to know her.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, July 22, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Peninsula Funeral Home, 11144 Warwick Blvd., Newport News, VA. A funeral mass will be held on Thursday, July 23, at 1:30 p.m. at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church, 100 Harpersville Road, Newport News, and burial will follow at Peninsula Memorial Park.