Carmen Vender

Carmen was born and raised in Superior, AZ to Alberto and Aggie Acosta on August 7, 1934 and passed way peacefully on December 20, 2025.

She was the only girl of five siblings. Her mother lovingly called her "Mi Reina"; her brothers and family members called her "Mela". She was a beloved wife, mother, and grandmother.

She played baseball as a teenager, and loved singing. She married Raul Vender after her nursing education was cut short. Together they raised 5 children in Mammoth, AZ, where she was active in her community and church.

Carmen loved singing and music. She even tried learning to play piano in the early 70s.

Her favorite music was mariachi music. She sang at church whenever she could and was asked by several to sing at a wedding. On weekends, while playing Pinochle with her compadres Becerra, she enjoyed belting out songs together with Alfredo Jimenez, Vicente Fernandez, and Little Joe on the record player. On picnics my dad would play the harmonica or beautifully whistle while my mom sang along.

Her hobbies were crossword puzzles, watching her favorite basketball team the, Phoenix Suns, and her favorite baseball team, the Arizona Diamondbacks. Carmen was an avid fan.