Carmen Sauri Ponce

Born November 29, 1933 in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico
Departed August 11, 2023 in Palm Bay, Florida

Our dear sweet mother, Carmen Sauri Ponce, went to be in the Glory of God and His Son Jesus Christ on August 11, 2023 in Palm Bay, Florida at William Childs Hospice House. She was 89 years old.
Carmen, often referred to as “Muneca” by her sons, was born on November 29, 1933 in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico. She was a devout Catholic who enjoyed attending mass at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church and Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. When she was not able to attend Mass in person, she enjoyed watching the daily “Spanish Mass” with her husband Eduardo in her home.
She loved her family beyond words, which included her husband, her four sons, especially her “baby” Jeffrey, who is now 58 years old, her daughters-in-law, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
Carmen attended The College Education and Patria Catholic School for Girls in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico. She later attended Mardem Academy and obtained her degree in business management. Carmen moved to New York City in 1955 and married Eduardo Ponce on November 12, 1955. They were married 67 years.
Carmen was proud of the many things she accomplished, but most proud of becoming an American citizen, with her husband in 1956. She later became an Executive Secretary in New York City for Bulova watch company and was bilingual in Spanish and English. Carmen was also very proud of partnering with her husband, building a company from scratch and running the day-to-day operations of a roofing company for many years. She was an integral part of its success. They moved to Lake Placid, Florida in 1986 where she worked at the county tag agency for the next several years helping and assisting the less fortunate. She was given the nickname “Maestra” by those she helped. In 1998, she and her husband built a 12-unit resort motel on Lake Grassy, owning and managing, until they sold it in July of 2012.
Aside from being a home maker in her early years, Carmen enjoyed attending field trips and sports activities with her sons. She was an avid “Bunco” player, loved bowling, even scoring a perfect 300 score, and collected all types of figurines. She is known for her assortment of giraffes, as well as her prized possessions- two antique Mother Mary statues in her home.
Carmen is preceded in death by her father Federico Sauri Molina and mother Soledad Celarain Montero (Mama Cholita), and great niece Cristina (Cristy) Guzman. She is survived by her husband Eduardo Ponce, and four sons Michael (Donna Lynn), Eric (Sandra), Warren (Dawn), and Jeffrey (Margarita) Ponce. She has 10 grandchildren, and five great-great grandchildren and another great-grand child due in October of this year. She is also survived by her brother Dr. Federico Sauri Molino of Mexico (late wife Ida), niece Teresa (Oswaldo) of Mexico, nephew Federico Junior (Cynthia) of Mexico, nephew Burt Ponce (Doris) of Lake Placid, and cousins Judy and Soila of Mexico.
Funeral mass at Our Lady Of Lourdes Catholic Church, Melbourne FL, on Friday, August 25 at 10:00 AM.
In lieu of flowers please make contributions to William Childs Hospice House, 381 Medplex Parkway, Palm Bay, FL 32907