Maria del Carmen Stride, better known to her friends as Carmen or La Canaria and to her family as Abuela, long time resident of Coral Springs, Florida, died Wednesday the 8th of May, 2019, at her home.
Born January 12, 1939, in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, she moved to England in 1960 and met her husband, Wilfrid. They got married on April 5, 1963, and just celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary! They had four children born in four different countries – England, Nigeria, Canary Islands and Zambia. They lived in England, Nigeria, Zambia, Kenya, then moved to Ada, OK, in 1980 and in 1990 to Coral Springs, FL.
Carmen lived life to the fullest and truly was one of a kind. She was always the life and soul of the party, had a zest for life like no other, never met a stranger, and danced every chance she got. She loved to help others and volunteered often for many different charities and was extremely proud of her family.
She is survived by her husband, Wilfrid Stride; her daughter Sandra O’Connor and husband Jack O’Connor of Coral Springs, FL; son Eric Stride and wife Susan Stride of Auckland, New Zealand; daughter Cristina Stride-Fitzgerald of Flower Mound,TX; son Adrian Stride and wife Tess Stride of Lighthouse Point, FL; and her grandchildren Rebecah O’Connor, Brendan O’Connor, Mackenzie Fitzgerald, Carlos Stride, Preston Fitzgerald, Josh Stride, Cassidy Stride, Owen Stride, Audrey Stride, Colin Stride, and two sisters Margarita Cradduck and daughter Charlotte Kemp and her family; and Mercedes Garcia Santana and her family.
In lieu of flowers we have set up a memorial scholarship fund with the Broward Women’s International Club. Please click this link if you choose to contribute: [Donate Here]
