Sr. Carmenmaria Cruz, STJ, a sister of the Society of St. Teresa of Jesus, died in San Antonio, Texas, on Sunday, December 31^st, 2006 after a long struggle with cancer.  She was 83. Sister Carmenmaria was born in Cabaiguan, Cuba, where she lived with her parents, seven sisters and five brothers.  She entered the Society on June 6, 1941.  A born, educator Sr. Carmen began her ministry as a teacher in Cuba from 1947 and continued her ministry there to 1955.  She was transferred to Nicaragua where she dedicated herself to teaching and service to the community from 1955 to 1972.  Sr. Carmen retired from teaching and became an excellent seamstress in the service of the sisters and priests.  She was well known for the beautiful liturgical and religious vestments she made from 1973 until she took ill.   She faced her illness with great faith and trust in God’s mercy and strength.  She was preceded in death by her parents and three sisters.  She is survived by the following sisters and brothers: Teresa Jochum, Claudio Cruz, Pablo Cruz, Rosamaria Cruz, Hortencia Cruz Jimenez, Enrique Cruz, Jose Cruz, Maria Teresa Cruz Cruz,, and Miguel Cruz,  22 nieces and nephews and numerous grand-nephews and nieces.

Wednesday, January 3, 2007, friends are invited to the Rosary at 11AM and the funeral mass at 2 PM at St. Teresa’s Convent, 138 Fair Ave., San Antonio