Obituary of Carmen Francisca Barrios de Gonzalez
Carmen Francisca Barrios de González of West Orange, given by God on May 7, 1933, was received in heaven by God on Saturday, November 23 , 2019
She was greeted by her beloved husband Enrique, her parents, Enrique and Maria Luisa her five siblings Modesta, Lorgio, Rubi, Reinaldo, and Rina.
Carmen was a faith filled mother to her caring daughter Carmen McPherson , and her son in law Ken , with whom she lived with for 15 years, and always enjoyed her grandchildren and the pups Chago and Havi.
She was a devoted mother to Luis Enrique ( Rick ) and his daughter Jacqueline, and she loved Smokey their cat.
She was a creative homemaker to her family and a devoted woman to her faith. Carmen prayed the rosary daily. As a young woman in Cuba she was a Member of Rosary Society. , Carmen always remembered those she loved in prayer- Her faith was nourished at St, Joseph's Church, in West Orange ,where she attended mass for 41 years, In addition to cherishing her time with family, she took pride in being a Lady, Manicures,hair styled wardrobe and heels.
Born in Santiago de Cuba, she was the youngest of 6 children,She delighted in her extensive family, Carmen met the love of her life Enrique Gonzalez when she was 15 years old, there would be a long courtship as she awaited his return from America where Enrique attended the University of West Virginia. They were married in February 1958 at the height of the the revolution in Cuba, On August 31, 1967, she fled to the United States seeking political asylum with her husband and 2 children , leaving her mother and siblings and friends behind . Carmen lived first in Bay Ridge Brooklyn , NY, then Montclair , NJ. In 1973 she and her family settled in West Orange, NJ.
She adapted and embraced her new life but kept a Cuban home and traditional cuisine. Carmen made a mean Arroz con pollo, she loved horses , always watching the Kentucky Derby- she greatly admired The British Royal Family, especially Princess Diana. Carmen loved flowers, she had a " green thumb"and loved her novelas. She was a woman of simple needs, she was at her happiest when in her home.
Although the diminishment of her body and mind over the years has taken a toll on her, Carmen's spirit and faith endured and deepened. One of the greatest joys of her life was meeting her great granddaughter Mia Rose.
She is survived by Carmen McPherson and her husband, Ken, of West Orange, and Luis Enrique ( Rick) of West Orange, grandchildren, Coryne McCormack and husband Justin of Elon, North Carolina. Kenneth McPherson III and his wife Erin of Morristown, NJ, Russell McPherson of Jersey city, NJ, Camille McPherson of Meadville Pa, Jacqueline Gonzalez of West Orange and Robert McPherson of West Orange . Great granddaughter Mia Rose McCormack , and many loving nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (www.stjude.org) would be deeply appreciated.