Carmen Samperio

Maria Carmen Samperio, beloved mother to 3 children, of San Pedro, CA passed away on December 6th, 2024 of cancer.

She was born in Mar del Plata, Argentina in 1951 to Concepcion Pol and Bautista Marin. Her parents were Spanish immigrants that met in Argentina. She was their only child. Her father passed away at the age of 2. This event caused her mother to leave Argentina for the US in search for better opportunitIes. Maria Carmen was left in Argentina under the care of her aunt, who would become like a mother to her. It was in these difficult times of her childhood that she learned to be resilient. She enjoyed her childhood playing on the beaches of Mar del Plata. Her favorite pastime was collecting, trading and reselling Patoruzu comic books. At the age of 6 Maria Carmen would enroll in an all girl boarding school run by nuns in Buenos Aires. She was a social chatterbox, head strong and to her detriment was unorganized as this caused many issues for her in a strict and highly structured school environment. Maria Carmen would spend many days in detention.

At the age of 16 she left Argentina for the US. She was met in San Pedro, CA by her mother and her new adoptive Italian family. They welcomed her like their own and she felt fortunate to be part of this large Italian family, and immersing herself in the Italian American culture. She attended San Pedro High School. Because she was a social bird, she quickly learned English and immersed herself in a new culture. By the age of 19 she married her husband Roman Samperio who was a Mexican immigrant. Together they moved their young family to Idaho and Alaska before coming back in Los Angeles to raise their family. Maria Carmen was a devoted mother to Cithlally, Ixchel, and Marisol. Raising them and providing a better life for them was a priority. One of her best gifts was her love of cooking. In her cooking she combined all her cultural influences, her Argentinian and Spanish background, along with the Italian, American, and finally Mexican influence. Maria Carmen took pride in providing a happy and lively home for her family. She instilled in her daughters an openness and welcoming attitude. It brought her joy to be part of a large family.

Maria Carmen had a unique force of positivity that surrounded her and those that were around her. Even if you met her briefly, within 5 min you would know the kind of woman she was. She was vibrant and energetic woman with a warrior heart larger than life. She enjoyed her daily walks with her friends, bowling, volunteering, managing her apartments, and her craft projects. She loved to shop, bargain hunt, and she loved color! Maria Carmen was an active parishioner and volunteer of Holy Trinity. But most of all she enjoyed being the life of the party, having fun with family and friends. Family gatherings on weekends were spent by enjoying delicious carne asadas. When she watched over her grand children, she loved surprising them and their friends with after school snacks - dozens of Nutella filled crepes, and if they stayed for dinner as most of them would, she was on to make her famous beef empanadas. Maria Carmen was a hit among her grandchildren’s friends. Together Maria Carmen and her husband lived a full life. When her husband retired, they enjoyed mostly spending time with grand children and traveling with family and friends. This was a really happy time for them.

In her later years she developed cancer and it was her trailblazer spirit that kept her going. Regardless of her physical condition, she remained positive and loved to be out and surrounded by family and friends. 2 months before her death she had the unique last opportunity to go on a cruise surrounded by her daughters and grandchildren. Together they enjoyed daily cruise ship dinners and competitive family card games in the evening.

Maria Carmen leaves behind 3 daughters and six grandchildren Charles, Carmen, Miles, Maya, Mariana, and Anthony. And she leaves many others who hold her close in their hearts.

And so we bid farewell to a warrior spirit, a trailblazer, who will forever live in our hearts. And rest assured she will find a new platoon to lead in heaven.

“Che, arriba y adelante, Ahem”’