Carmen L. Dones

On November 3rd 1934, Carmen Lydia Mendez DeLeon was born in Gurabo, Puerto Rico, the 4th of six children born to Mr. and Mrs. Mendez DeLeon, and grew up in Hato Rey. . The mother hen of the family, she was tough and mature beyond her years, always looking after her brothers and sisters and keeping order in the house. I know little about her early days, being more familiar with her later years. She moved to Chicago after high school graduation and lived with family already there from their native Puerto Rico. At a mutual friend’s wedding my father, William Dones, spotted Carmen and immediately became attracted to this beautiful, dark haired beauty. Knowing both her older brothers, he asked for her information. Well, from what my father says, she wanted nothing to do with him. The funny thing is, my mom always agreed, she did not want anything to do with my dad! Sometimes, as recently as last week, it felt like mom still didn’t like my dad, or for that matter, any of us. If you saw early pictures of my dad, he was a David Niven clone. Green eyes, pencil bar mustache and a confidence that defines all the Dones Men! No way was he going to give up. He persisted, or in my mom’s words “pestered”, and she finally agreed to go out with him. They dated and dated, and on August 18th 1956, exchanged vows and became husband and wife. My Dad was in love with my mom and continued to carry that love for her for 58 years. My dad would do anything for my mom, and he exemplified the title of husband. They were the perfect loving couple. Together they raised three children, William Jr., Nestor, and the “runt” Dee Dee, with love and discipline. Many nights my mom called our names from the front porch to get us home at a decent hour. I realized then she could have won a yodeling contest. Or, if our neighbors were miles away, she could have kept them apprised of all that was happening. Growing up we heard three terms that I will always associate with my mom, “don’t be a dingy!”, “aren’t you going to defend me compadre!”, and finally, ”that’s a good one!” Nothing made us laugh more than hearing my mom use those sayings and I am glad to say that she kept saying them up until the end. She was my first “girlfriend”, my first “kiss” and my first “love”! She is going to be missed and will always be in our hearts, my father, my brother and especially my mom’s little angel, my sister. I want the world to know two people, my dad and my sister, were always there and available to make certain my mom was always cared for. I know my mother lived a life full of love and happiness. I tell you, for all of the adversity she faced all of her life, especially the last 3 years where we wondered if she would ever be pain free. Our hope was she would be able to enjoy her life with my father to travel and see their grandchildren grow up, she remained a fighter and the same tough woman she’d always been. We thank you for the support, the love, and especially the honoring of my mom’s life. She will continue to be a fixture in our lives and in our children’s lives for generations to come. That Carmen, she’s a good one!

Carmen L. Dones

November 3, 1934 - April 17, 2013