Maria I. Carmona

María I. Carmona, also known as "Marisa", passed away January 29, 2018. She was born in Fajardo, Puerto Rico on March 1st, 1942. She moved to New York at a young age where she attended high school. She got married and had two daughters, Bridget and Virna. She moved back to Fajardo, Puerto Rico in 1967. She obtained her bachelor degree in Business Administration from Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico. She worked for many pharmaceutical companies to include Pfizer, Warner Lambert and Parke Davis.

In 1989, she moved to Orlando, Florida to live close to her two daughters. She worked for CNA Insurance Company until she retired. Since her retirement, she developed a passion for fine art. She went back to school and learned to draw and paint using different techniques. She had the opportunity to exhibit many of her artworks in several galleries in the Orlando area. In 2007, La Asociación Borinqueña nominated and selected one of her artwork for the cover of their annual book.

For many years, she was an active member of many community organizations (La Casa de Puerto Rico, La Asociación Borinqueña, and Artist League of Orange County) and held different leadership positions.

In July 2013, she was a recipient of a double lung transplant. With the support of her best friend and caregiver, Severo Santamaría, she was blessed to be with us for few more years.

María is survived by her daughters (Bridget Y. Smoak and Virna M. Kneller); brother and sister-in-law (Fabian Román and Inesita Román); and grandchildren (Erik S. Kneller, Ashley M. Kneller, Karina Z. Smoak, Mark A. Kneller, Natalie M. Smoak).

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