Carmen Victoria Parisi

Carmen (Carmiña) Parisi was devoted to her family, friends, and her faith. She was 77 years old when she passed away peacefully on February 15, 2025, in Gainesville, Florida, surrounded by family and love.

Born in Bucaramanga, Colombia, on August 31, 1947, Carmiña was preceded in death by her parents, Angel Maria Carrascal Gerardino, Teresa Conde Jacome and her siblings Humberto, Alonso, Laritza, Margarita, and Angel Esteban.

She is survived by her husband, Anthony Parisi, daughters Carrie Cragun-Atchison (Whit), Catherine Dunn (Charlie), her former husband and lifelong friend Bill Cragun, and her four grandchildren Audrey, Amelia, Hazel and Gus, whom she adored. She also leaves behind her beloved sisters in Colombia, Hersilia, Teresa, and Ida plus many nieces and nephews here and abroad whom she loved dearly.

Carmiña traveled to the United States in 1971 through the Amity Institute to provide native speaker support to high school Spanish teachers in Chicago, St. Paul, and Redwood Falls, Minnesota.

While in Redwood Falls, she and Bill Cragun married and Carmiña attended Southwest State University in Marshall, earning her BS in sociology. In 1977 they moved to Bogota, Colombia, where both daughters were born and Carmiña won the women’s singles title in Colombia’s first ever racquetball tournament.

After returning to the states in 1984, she became a social worker and devoted her career to helping countless children and families in West Palm Beach until her retirement.

After marrying Anthony Parisi in 2007, Carmiña enjoyed their many dogs and cats, treasured visits from her Colombian relatives, doted on her grandkids, and on occasion treated one and all with her inimitable rendition of La Zarzamora. She will be forever missed and always in our hearts.

In memory of Carmiña, please consider donating to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Crevasse's Simple Cremation is honored to serve The Parisi Family.