Carmen Esmenilda Cambero Sunrise: September 9, 1942 Sunset: July 7, 2024

With profound sadness we announce the passing of Carmen Esmenilda Cambero, our beloved and devoted mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. Her friends from the barrio called her Meni, and she touched many lives as Hermana Cambero. Her will to live was unmatched. As a three-time cancer survivor, her tenacity and strength gave the medical community wonder. A stronger person would be hard to find, yet her body grew weary. Surrounded by her family, she left us peacefully on Sunday, July 7th. Carmen was born on September 9, 1942, in Santiago, Dominican Republic, to Ana Digna Valerio and Porfirio Vazquez. She immigrated to Chicago in 1965 to marry her love, Juan Bautista Cambero. She was preceded in death by her husband of 45 years Juan, mother Ana Digna Valerio, sister Arelis Cortez, and brothers Rafael Ponciano Valerio and Luis Ernesto Perez.

Carmen was a dedicated mother first and foremost, completely attune to parenting responsibilities with a sense of adoration. She treasured her children and was a fierce defender and protective Mama Bear. She sacrificed much to give abundantly and instilled strong work ethics and exceptional regards for a college education. Her life of service began in her early teens as a nurses aide at Hospital Padre Billini in Santo Domingo, República Dominicana, to help provide for her siblings and later at Bella Vista Hospital in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, where she worked third shift so her children would not have to go to childcare.

Carmen was a steadfast sister who devotedly helped her siblings; she worked and saved to sponsor them from the Dominican Republic to Puerto Rico for better opportunities. Children had a very special place in her heart, and she especially loved her role as Abuela. Her grandchildren brought her a renewed sense of joy as did the more than 25 other children that received the caregiving talents she provided to working families.

Carmen was a devoted Christian and follower of Jesus Christ. Her children fondly remember how she faithfully began and ended each day with devotions along with a slew of hymns which she loved to sing. Each stanza was memorized, and not one could be skipped over. She was proud of her accomplishment as a Master Guide in the Pathfinder program and was an ardent supporter of all pathfinder activities. Sharing resources and bus routes with new immigrant families brought her exceptional joy. In this manner, Carmen loved to love people. She was generous with the little she had. Carmen was highly skilled with crafting. She loved attending musicals and ballet performances.

Those that knew her well will remember Carmen was spirited, and spunky with a substantial dose of spicy sassiness. We praise God for gifting her a full life as a caring daughter, wonderful wife, exceptional sister, mother, grandmother, aunt, childcare provider, and friend. She was the beloved mother of Arelis (Andre) Diaz, and Henry Cambero; adored Abuela to Monica (Joseph), Ramon, Jessica, Zaskia, Enzo, Michael, and Malachi; 5 great grandchildren Jacob & Jonah Lawson, Andres & Anamaria Diaz and Leilani Conrad with many nephews and nieces all of whom she loved deeply. Carmen will be missed and forever in our hearts.

Our family would like share deep gratitude and appreciation to the staff of The Oakes of Byron Center who tenderly and lovingly cared for Carmen for the past seven years.

Please join us in celebrating Carmen's life on Friday, July 12th, 2024, at Rogers Heights SDA Church, 3025 Michael Ave SW, Wyoming, MI. The memorial service, officiated by Gilberto Gaton, will be held at 3:00 p.m . Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service from 2 to 3 p.m. Following the service, everyone is invited to join the family for dinner at Watermark Country Club, 1600 Galbraith Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI.

Carmen decided on the gift of knowledge with an anatomical donation to the University of Michigan. Therefore, a private interment with the immediate family will take place at a future time.

Memorial contributions may be made to Faith Hospice