Carmen E. Morrina's Obituary
Carmen Morrina, age 100, of Hialeah, FL died peacefully on Thursday March 9, 2023, surrounded by family after a long and fulfilling life.
She was born in Havana, Cuba on September 26, 1922 and was the daughter of Venancio Carballo and Mercedes Pujals.
Carmen was a graduate of the University of Havana and practiced as a lawyer, notary and judge in Cuba. She brought her family to the United States amidst the communist revolution and built a home and career in this foreign land. With uncommon strength and perseverance, she labored to provide opportunity for her family and community. An English speaker in the Cuban diaspora, she translated documents for neighbors, helped answer immigration questions, and ultimately forged a new career as a teacher in inner city schools. A deeply religious woman, she was a supporter of numerous Catholic churches and charities. She had an especially deep connection to St. Anthony Claret, who is a family relative.
Her family will choose to remember her “holding court” at her kitchen table in Hialeah, enjoying a sweet treat, and regaling those around her with stories of bygone eras.
Carmen was the loving wife of the late Luis Morrina Castillo whom she loved her entire life and is now reunited with after 60 years apart.
She was the caring younger sister to Jose Francisco “Pepito” Carballo, whom she idolized and stayed close with even after world events separated them between Miami and Madrid.
She was the adored mother to Luis Morrina and Carmen Mercedes Morrina. She dedicated her life to ensuring they could thrive in this new land after her husband passed away.
She was the caring grandmother to four grandchildren, Luis Morrina, Lori Ann Morrina-Mende, Gabriel Morrina, and Daniel Alvarez. As a career educator, she taught them to be honorable and to leave their children in a better position to succeed.
She also had four great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild whom she treasured and loved alongside several nephews, nieces, and cousins.
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