Carmen Oruna

Carmen Oruna obituary, Coral Gables, FL

Carmen Oruna

Carmen Oruna Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Jul. 5, 2025.
Carmen Oruna, of Coral Gables, passed away at age 88 in Miami on July 5, 2025. She is survived by her son, Armando I. Bengochea of Barrington, Rhode Island and his wife, Julia Bengochea; her daughter Virginia Hazlett of Cutler Bay, Florida; grandchildren, Katrina Escalera of Santa Monica, California, Matthew Bengochea of Boston, Massachusetts, Elena Bengochea of Providence, Rhode Island, and Todd Martinez of Cutler Bay, Florida; great grandchildren Noelani and Sienna; and her brothers, both physicians, Edward G. De Miranda of Jacksonville, Florida, and Guillermo Garcia, of Orlando, Florida. She will be greatly missed by her beloved cousin, Maria Perdomo, of Queens, New York, and her steadfast friend and work colleague of many years, Olga Piedra of Miami, Florida. Carmen very much loved her phone conversations and visits from her godson, Jorge Rosende of North Carolina.

Carmen was born in Havana, Cuba on June 4, 1937 and was raised by loving parents, Ricardo Garcia Birba and Angelica Garcia. A proud graduate of St. George's School in the Vedado district of Havana, Carmen married her husband, Armando L. Bengochea in Havana in 1959 and together with him and their first- born son, left Cuba and settled in Elmhurst, Queens in July 1962. She was already bilingual and immediately secured a position as a legal secretary working for the legendary New York City law firm, Milbank. The family later moved to Kennett Square, Pennsylvania where Carmen worked at Dupont in Wilmington, Delaware. In 1978 the family settled permanently in Miami where Carmen continued to build her impressive career as a legal secretary from which she did not retire until age 80 while working for Shook, Hardy & Bacon. A highly organized and very determined person, Carmen took great pride in her reliability and strong eye for detail. She lived quietly toward the end of her working career and into retirement in Coral Gables, having married her second husband, architect and Coral Gables public servant, Felipe Oruna. Together, they also lived in Miami Beach. Carmen and Felipe travelled extensively in Europe and were regulars at several Coral Gables restaurants.

Carmen remained fit until the last months of her life. She was a strong walker, pounding pavements on Biscayne Blvd, the boardwalk of Miami Beach, and her Coral Gables neighborhood. She was a regular at the Puerta de Palmas condominium gym and at age 87 could still be found there doing crunches on a flat bench. She enjoyed her condo pool, reading the Miami Herald from cover to cover every morning, doing crossword puzzles, and watching her favorite professional tennis players on television. Her independent spirit will survive her in the memories of all her family and friends.

Friends and family are invited to attend visiting hours at Vior Funeral Home, 291 NW 37th Avenue, Miami, Florida on July 7, 2025 from 6:00-8:00 pm. In honor of Carmen's life, the family suggests a donation to Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

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July 7, 2025

Aymee & Rick Fernandez posted to the memorial.

July 7, 2025

Wilda Montenegro posted to the memorial.

July 7, 2025

Liza Alvarez posted to the memorial.

6 Entries

Aymee & Rick Fernandez

July 7, 2025

We are deeply saddened by the passing of our former coworker and friend, Carmen. She will be missed but never forgotten!
RIP Carmen.

Wilda Montenegro

July 7, 2025

Sorry for the family members loss of such a vibrant and amazing woman. I had the pleasure of working with Carmen at Shook Hardy & Bacon. I also helped her with a garage sale she had and became even closer to her. She will be dearly missed. RIP my sweet friend.

Liza Alvarez

July 7, 2025

You will be
missed my friend.

Olga Piedra

July 5, 2025

Carmen, we shared many conversations and happy outings where we always enjoyed a good glass of wine. Dear friend, I will always miss you. Rest in Peace.

Hassia Diolombi

July 5, 2025

I shared many laughs and shared puzzles with Carmen. We had some good times over some pretty funny lunches together. I wish we had more. Carmen, you will be sorely missed. God bless.

Jorge Rosende

July 5, 2025

Photo taken last year during a visit. Carmen, my "madrina" had a strong and independent spirit, who enjoyed a good Italian meal at her favorite restaurant with a glass of wine, regardless of the time of day. She enjoyed a good laugh and will be missed.

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Sign Carmen Oruna's Guest Book

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July 7, 2025

Aymee & Rick Fernandez posted to the memorial.

July 7, 2025

Wilda Montenegro posted to the memorial.

July 7, 2025

Liza Alvarez posted to the memorial.