Carmen Collazo-Colón

Carmen Collazo-Colón, 105, passed away peacefully in her home in Virginia Beach, Virginia, on September 5, 2025. She was born on March 26, 1920, in Puerto Rico, to the late Ramón Collazo and Dolores Cruz.

Carmen's life was one of love, resilience, and devotion to her family. She was a strong and nurturing woman who held her family together through every season of life. A natural caretaker, Carmen made sure that her home was always a place of comfort, laughter, and warmth.

She had many talents and passions that reflected her creative spirit. Carmen loved tending her garden, where she found joy and peace in watching things grow. She was an accomplished seamstress who could mend, create, and design with her hands, leaving behind cherished pieces made with love. She also enjoyed painting, finding beauty in colors and bringing her imagination to life on canvas.

Among her greatest gifts was her cooking. Carmen's kitchen was the heart of her home-filled with the aromas of her delicious meals and the sounds of family gathered around the table. Her food wasn't just nourishment; it was an expression of love, a tradition passed down, and a memory that will forever live in the hearts of those blessed to share her table.

Carmen also had a loyal four-legged companion who brought her comfort and joy. Her love for her dog was just another reflection of her kind and gentle heart.

She will be remembered as a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who treasured her family above all else. Left to carry on her memory are her son, Carlos E. Cruz; her granddaughters, Andrea Cruz and Samantha Bloomquist (Jack); and her great-grandchildren, Javier and Javien Thompson. Each of them carries a piece of her legacy in their hearts, and her love will continue to guide them.

Though there will be no formal service, Carmen's life will be celebrated privately by her family, who will honor her memory in the way she lived-with love, togetherness, and gratitude.

Her strength, kindness, and warmth touched everyone who knew her. Carmen's family finds comfort in knowing she lived a long and beautiful life, and that her spirit will continue to live on in the lives she shaped and the love she gave. Condolences may be left for the family online at www.altmeyerfh.com.