Ma, Mama, Carmen passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 3, 2019 at the age of age 86. Born and raised in Querétaro, Mexico, Carmen eventually moved northward to Chicago, Il in the 1970's. She was devoted to her children, grandchildren, beloved dogs, and life-time love, her husband Alfredo Sr. Our mother was busy raising children, eventually going back to work at Colors. Later, she traveled to many interesting places such as Jamaica, Puerto Rico, and France, among others. For a woman whose motto was, "You only live once," Carmen remarried Alfredo Sr. three times in Las Vegas. The love they had for one another was the kind one could feel when they were in the same room, and there wasn't anything they wouldn't do for one another. Ma loved Pa endlessly. After retirement, Carmen and Alfredo enjoyed hosting breakfast for their children and grand-children on weekends. Ma had a love and hate relationship with cooking: she hated that she loved cooking for everyone. Most of us recall cooking classes with her and her sense of humor, and we were always begging to have just a taste of her "perfect bread," for example. Papa always half-joked that her food was better than any restaurant's. What we loved and will miss the most were her daily routines, such as feeding her birds, watering her plants, or opening her blinds each morning. She loved all of her dogs, Tauro, Chacho, and Chacha. Carmen was a devoted Roman Catholic who believed in helping those who are less fortunate. Whenever she visited Mexico, she carried extra money to donate to the homeless. There was never a job too large or too small that she could not tackle, and she had an amazing ability for math. Mama was a strong, determined, and fiercely independent woman. We know she has been reunited with Pa, and we will miss her every day; She will be forever in our hearts. Carmen is survived by her children; Carmen (Ronald) Santos, Claudia Rodriguez (Jesus Macias), Armando (Ana) Rodriguez, Mauricio (Vita Zamudio) Rodriguez, Mario Rodriguez, MaEugenia Rodriguez and Alfredo Rodriguez; her grandchildren, Victor Quiles, Adrian Rodriguez, James W. Real, Megan L. Real, Jacob G. Rodriguez, Benjamin D. Rodriguez, Vanessa Marquez, Abigail Marquez, Xavier Marquez, Claudia Rodriguez, Natasha Rodriguez and Renata Hernandez; her great grandchildren, Juelz Santiago, Isaiah Rodriguez, Ava Carlson, Izabella Carlson, Noah Rocha, Elijah Rocha, Isabella Regina, Castillo Hernandez, Ramses Eduardo, Castillo Hernandez and Derek Zachary DeBerry. Several dear nieces, nephews, and cousins also survive. Carmen was preceded in death by her husband, Alfredo Labra, and two daughters, Renata Rodriguez and Elizabeth Rodriguez. Visitation will be held at the Farkas Funeral Home, 3201 W. Jefferson St. Joliet, IL 60431 on Saturday October 12, 2019 from 10:00 A.M. - 2:00 P.M. As it was Carmen's request, cremation rites will be accorded following services. For more information, please call 815-725-0100 or visit www.farkasfuneralhome.com