Carmen Belén Surat, 95, of Roanoke, VA, died peacefully at the Charlottesville home of her daughter and son in-law, Désirée and Daniel Yeago, on Monday, October 14, 2024.

A loving, compassionate wife and mother, Carmen was born in New York City on May 9, 1929, to Epifanio and Carmen Romero. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband of 56 years, Marion T. “Chuck” Surat; her son, Charles “Chuck” Surat; and her brother, George Romero. 

A fiercely independent and responsible child, Carmen decided to become a Roman Catholic at the age of 10. Her father told her to “go ahead.” So, she signed up for classes and became a devout Catholic for the rest of her life. Her strong faith inspired all around her. 

Carmen attended Saint John’s Villa Academy on Staten Island, New York. The rigorous academic curriculum enabled her to master Latin, Italian, and chemistry along with more traditional subjects. Carmen participated in the Glee Club, the Italian Club, and the Sodality of Mary. In addition, her poetry was published in the yearbook. 

After graduation, 17-year-old Carmen entered The College of Notre Dame, also on Staten Island. There she majored in both chemistry and psychology. She met her future husband at a St. Patrick’s Day dance. Their “teenage romance” blossomed into a courtship and on November 13, 1948, they waltzed at their wedding. 

Before she had her own children, Carmen delighted in teaching preschool at the now famous Bank Street School in New York. She and Chuck continued to live on Staten Island while Chuck completed his engineering degree. As the family grew, Carmen focused her time and energy on nurturing the big, happy family that she and Chuck had always wanted. “I loved being a mother,” she often said. She and Chuck were blessed with eight children, Michele, Charles, Mark, Eric (Karen), Desiree (Daniel Yeago), Gabrielle (Randal Gatzke), Alyssa (Richard Westerman), and Rory (Sharay). Also left to cherish her memory are 26 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Friday, October 18, 2024, at Our Lady of Nazareth Catholic Church in Roanoke, VA. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Our Lady of Nazareth Catholic Church. Condolences may be shared with her family by visiting www.Oakeys.com.