Caridad L. Camilo

Caridad Luisa (Cabrera) Camilo, 91, of Edison, NJ passed away peacefully on October 31, 2023 in her home after surprising doctors with her strength and resilience through a decade of severe dementia, ministrokes and epilepsy resulting from traumatic brain injury (TBI) from a car accident. 

Caridad (also known as Carrie) will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by her entire family, especially her husband of 69 years, Juan Camilo, and beloved son, John Camilo and daughter-in-law Maria Camilo of Manahawkin, NJ. She was predeceased by her daughter, Luisa Camilo, who passed away a week after birth in 1958. 

She also leaves behind her cherished grandchildren, Jason Camilo and Erica DiNitto, as well as their spouses, Melissa Ritter-Camilo and Christopher DiNitto, and great-grandchildren Amelia, Jonathan, Alexander and Zachary. 

Carrie was born in Banes, Cuba on December 12, 1931 and loved her life on the island. The daughter of the late Rafael and Luisa Cabrera and sister of the late José Cabrera, she was a vibrant social butterfly who adored music, dancing and being in the spotlight. Her effervescence and beauty charmed a younger local heartthrob, Juan Camilo, who became her loving husband on February 13, 1954 and eventually the father of her children.  

Losing her daughter at a young age was devastating for Carrie, but her love for her husband and son was unwavering. As the political situation escalated and her son grew older, Carrie was committed to giving her son a better life in America even though she knew how hard it would be to leave her extended family and everything she called home. Finally finding a legal path to the United States, Carrie, Juan and John flew to the United States and immigrated legally on September 10, 1968. Early on, Carrie held various jobs to help support her family’s transition when they first settled in Passaic, NJ and later New Brunswick, NJ, and eventually dedicated her time to caring for her son and husband once they moved to Edison. 

With an incredible love of life and flair for the dramatic, Carrie was always the life of every party and lit up any room she entered. When you were with Carrie, she made sure you knew she loved you – she enthusiastically doted on her husband, son, grandchildren and all of her friends and family in any way she could. She kept Cuban traditions alive in her family and made sure everyone who entered her home knew: her dedication to her Catholic faith; her love of good food and everything glamourous or shiny; and that every single day was meant to be full of laughter and fun. She will be remembered for her love of celebrating even the smallest moments in grand style and for always making time to dance … especially if a Julio Iglesias song was playing. If there is a party in heaven, that is where you will find our beloved Carrie. 

Visitation will be held Friday, November 3, 2023 from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM with a Blessing to be offered near the end of the visitation at Barnegat Funeral Home, 841 W. Bay Ave., Barnegat, NJ. Interment will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Beachview Ave., Manahawkin, NJ.  (www.BarnegatFH.com)

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Caridad L. Camilo, please visit our floral store.