Although we only got to know Carmen in later life, it was clear that she was warm, kind and fun. She always had a mischievous twinkle in her eye which was very engaging! Our fondest memory of Carmen is when she taught us to make Spanish tortilla when we visited Cobblestone house - directing us as to precisely how to slice the potatoes. It was delicious! We will miss her.

Lots of love, Henry, Sarah and Eddie xxxx

Our first memory of Carmen was meeting in London at a Tapas restaurant and then going on to see Cirque Du Soleil perform aerobics in The Albert Hall. What a splendid first meeting it was and look what it led to for Annie and Rich!

Subsequently plans were made for Annie and Richard's marriage in Richard's home village of Barkway in Southern England. Carmen was keen to cook Tortilla for Annie the evening before the big day and afterwards they shared a bedroom for the last time.

The following morning, Carmen proudly dressed her daughter for the wedding and Win carefully led Annie down the steps of The Red House, watched by Carmen, then walked her down Barkway High Street to the Church.

There were amusing moments when Richard's father made a speech of welcome at the lunch afterwards and had translated it into Spanish using his I-pad. When Carmen read it out for the benefit of her Spanish family present, the meaning seemed to have changed somewhat and there were hoots of laughter from the British and Spaniards alike!

After the British Wedding, there were further celebrations in Austin Texas followed by a trip to Yosemite and this was a happy time for Carmen.

May her soul rest in peace for ever.

Nicholas and Meriel Tufton

(Richard's parents)

My name is Lannece, and I live in Little Rock, Arkansas; A place that God led us to raise our family amid circumstances and people that He intentionally and precisely planned, and arranged, to grow us and encourage us and bring us delight. One such divinely appointed person was a happy, friendly, and intelligent mama, whose two children exhibited those same qualities. Of course I am referring to my beautiful friend, Maria Chan. I don’t remember exactly how we met, but I’m sure it was through our children. We would visit while our children played, and the topic of conversation could be anything from David Gavin’s school work to Annie’s dancing. Because Maria had grown up in Spain and spent time in Hong Kong and England, I was intrigued by her in every way: her stories, her mannerisms, her accent, and all else. She was very expressive and animated, with all sorts of advice, tips and suggestions to offer from her unique life experiences. I very fondly remember how she would make a statement on the process of bringing a certain something to fruition and she would say, while hitting her drawn fingertips together, “Then poom, poom, poom! I am telling you; just like that, it would be done.”

What a fantastic lady! I look forward to seeing her again on the other side of Glory. I will surely recognize her; there is only one Maria Chan.