Carmen Cira Zayas-Bazán, 95, passed away on December 8, 2023, surrounded by her closest family.
Originally from Bayamo, Cuba, Carmen was the second child of Nativdad and Gelasio Fernandez. She spent her childhood cultivating her passion in the arts. She attended La Escuela Divina Pastora, taught dance and loved to tell anyone willing to listen about her young, vibrant socialite life and her travels.
A devout Catholic, Carmen was a longtime member of St. Jude Catholic Church.
Those who knew Carmen knew she loved children. She fostered this love as the Director of the Nursery at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church for over 30 years.
She was the widow of Rene Zayas-Bazan, professor of Spanish at Baylor School. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Gelasio Fernandez.
Carmen loved her family more than anything, and is survived by her daughter, Carmen Alicia Buffington; two granddaughters, Alicia Renèe Bland Self (husband, Drew), and Cira Nicole Buffington. She also leaves behind one great-grandson, Felix Augustus Self and many other loving family and friends.
Carmen never met a stranger and has made friends across many walks on her long, beautiful life. Please leave memories or tributes on forevermissed.com
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.
A memorial mass will be held at St. Jude Catholic Church on Dec. 18, at 12 p.m.