Carmen Engel

Carmen Reyes Engel, age 83, died peacefully, surrounded by loved ones on August 11, 2021, in her home in Littleton, Colorado after a courageous battle with diabetes and heart failure.

Carmen was born on October 12, 1937, in Guatemala, C.A. to Lorenzo Velarde and Amanda Escobar Reyes. She was baptized in El Calvario Cathedral in Guatemala City. Her mother died when she was young. As a result, her sister, Estela took care of her and their brother Luis (deceased). At the age of 17, Carmen fell ill with Tuberculosis and experienced a long recovery. She later graduated from college in Guatemala with a degree in Business Administration. She worked at Radio Ciro’s supporting Radio Novelas.

She came to the U.S. in 1963, only speaking Spanish when she was sponsored by a television writer who gave her residence and work. During her time working for Mr. Sam Locke, she learned how to speak English. They stayed friends for over 30 years until he passed in 1998. In a letter to Carmen, he once wrote, “When I brought that young Guatemala girl whose sense of humor was much better than her English in those days and who became such an important part of my family, I didn’t realize that in time, I would become part of her family and it’s ended up much more my good fortune than yours.” He was later known as “Gramps” to her daughter Jennifer.

Little did Carmen know that in 1968 she would meet her husband through a dating correspondence service. After a few months of phone conversations, this Guatemalan young woman with long dark hair and beautiful brown eyes was greeted by a humble gentleman from Poland holding a dozen yellow roses. It was love at first sight. At three months of going out, Witold wrote Carmen’s father in Guatemala asking for her hand in marriage. They were married on September 21,1968 and were to celebrate their 53rd Wedding Anniversary in September. They purchased a house in Long Beach, California two years after they were married where Witold planted over 40 rose bushes for Carmen. Each year, he cut the first rose for her.

Over the years, Witold and Carmen traveled around the world and supported multiple charities and ministries for the poor and sick. They became involved in Marriage Encounter (ME) where they facilitated numerous Enrichment Evenings with participating couples following ME weekends. They helped to distribute donated items to the poor of Long Beach, California at St. Francis Center, Lomas Taurinas and the Mother Teresa orphanage in Tijuana, Mexico. Carmen became a U.S. citizen in 1973.

In 1995, Carmen embarked on a spiritual journey with Witold through Diaconate Formation within the Los Angeles Roman Catholic Diocese. This experience brought them closer than ever to their faith and gave them the opportunity to continue to serve their ministries, including prison ministry. Deacon Witold was ordained on June 12, 1999. As Deaconess, a title of honor, Carmen was an unsung hero who gave so much of herself to others.

In 2004, they flew to Colorado to welcome their grandson, Dylan into the world. And on Mother’s Day, Deacon Witold baptized their grandson with Carmen by his side. Within a year, in 2005, they decided to move to Colorado to be with their grandson, their daughter, Jennifer and son-in-law, Tim. Deacon Witold transferred to the Denver Diocese and served at St. Francis Cabrini Catholic Church in Littleton.

Over the past thirty years, Carmen survived multiple ailments, such as diabetes, breast cancer and heart failure. Throughout it all, she had such inner strength and a zest for life. Carmen once shared, “I have been able to understand love and forgiveness through all of the miracles that I have received throughout my life. I thank God for that sickness that made me realize that Jesus is the center in my life and that only letting God be God, because I am not, will give me peace and grace. That’s all I need to be able to have happiness and peace, and time to be able to enjoy.” On November 30, 2020, they moved into a new build home in Sterling Ranch with their daughter and family, where she lived out her remaining days.

Carmen was known for her smile, faith, generosity, love, and sense of humor. She is survived by her husband: Deacon Witold Engel, daughter: Jennifer (Engel) Mosholder, son-in-law: Tim Mosholder, grandson: Dylan (17), sister: Estela Velarde and sister-in-law: Graciela Velarde and her children/grandchild.

Vigil services will be held on Thursday, August 19 at 5:00 pm MT at Horan and McConaty 5303 E. County Line Rd, Centennial, CO. Funeral mass will be at St. Mark Catholic Church, 9905 Foothills Canyon Blvd, Highlands Ranch, CO on Friday, August 20, starting with a rosary at 10:00 am and mass at 10:30 am MT. A reception will follow the mass. For all those who are unable to attend in person, there will be a live stream available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tiVqkbuIm1M .

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Carmen’s memory to Christ in the City: https://christinthecity.org/donate-1/ .

The Deacon Wife’s Prayer
Lord, I said “yes” when my husband was ordained a deacon. The “yes” meant my support, my love, my sharing him as he serves our brothers and sisters. Thank you for our marriage and our life together. I ask for Your help in my supporting him in his service to others as a deacon. I know You love me, Lord, as Your unique creation. You have gifted me in many ways. Help me to know my gifts and to use them wherever You desire – within my family circle, and in this world when I am called to love and serve others as Jesus did. – Amen.