Carmen Ross-Bowen lovingly known as "Nana" was born on June 22, 1942.  She was the first of five children born to the late Percival and Loleta Mitchell in the parish of St. Michael, Barbados West Indies.  She died from complications of a heart attack at the Yale New Haven Hospital in Connecticut on December 6th, 2024.

Carmen received her education at St. Mathias Primary School in St. Michael. She worked as a seamstress and a tailor's apprentice before migrating to Boston, MA in 1970. While in Boston, she worked as a certified nursing assistant for many years, working towards her nursing degree until she was injured on the job in 1993 and had to retire.

Carmen loved life and in her early years enjoyed dancing and entertaining others. Her love for her culture, calypso, and the Crop Over Festival was something she ensured she passed down to all her generations.  In her rebellious youth she always remembered the Ten Commandments especially the 5th  --  "Honor your father and your mother that your days may be long in the land which the Lord your God giveth thee."  This kept her out of trouble.

Carmen's love for life made her a survivor and would always tell her kids "don't pull the plug too soon because only God can decide when I'm going to die". On Friday, December 6th 2024 Carmen ended her earthly life's journey here with us to join her late husband, Rudolph, brother Anthony and mother Lolita to bring her party spirit to the great beyond.

She leaves to cherish her memory, daughters Sharon (Cornelius), Sabrena, Sean and Shirlana; grandchildren Shana (Shawn), Sydney, Neil and Darryl, great grandchildren Justice, Arianne and Kari; her siblings Eleanor Cadette of England, Harriette  Butler, Evette Norville; Nephews and nieces Gregory, Mandy, Tracy, Barry, Marcus, Corey M., Joy-Ann Taitt, Chad, Anetta, Kim, Haki, Anthony, Troy, Advril, Corey B., Kwame, Keisha, and Kelia. She was the niece of Winfield 'Baby' Jordan, Carl Jordan and Carl Cadogan.  A host of loving great nieces and nephews, and cousins – too numerous to mention.  Sharing this loss are her friends and family in the Boston, England and Barbados.