Maria Carmen (Miguel) Hogrefe

God has called one of his angels back to heaven.  After a brief illness, Maria Carmen Hogrefe passed away quietly at Firelands Regional Medical Center on August 28, 2024, surrounded by her loving children.

Carmen, as she was known, was born in Almenar de Soria, Spain, during the Spanish Civil War.  At the age of 11, she moved to Zaragoza, Spain with her parents, brothers Angel, Julian, Isaias and Juan, and sister, Maria Dolores (“Lola”).   Her life changed when she met a dashing young American Airman, Douglas, who swept her off her feet and never left her side until he passed October 2023, sixty-three years later.  They married in Spain on May 21, 1960.  Six months later she was on a plane to the United States, pregnant with their first child.  She had never left Spain and then, alone on a plane, her husband already shipped home to be discharged, heading to an unknown land and an unknown life - and she only spoke a couple of words of English. She was welcomed to Sandusky, Ohio, by Doug’s parents and Holy Angels Church, where she found a thriving community of Spanish speaking people who helped her learn how to become an American and became life-long friends.  She quickly learned English, albeit with an endearing strong accent that never left her.  She and Doug moved to Bay View in 1961 with their young son Richard.  Their daughters Ana, and Kimberly followed.  Together they made a home in Bay View and became a closely knit family under Carmen and Doug’s loving care.  Early on, she became an American citizen – an accomplishment she was extremely proud of. 

Carmen’s life was devoted to her family and church.  Her other constant in life was her sister, Lola, who also married an American serviceman, Donald Salmon, and moved to Sandusky in 1961.   Rarely did a day go by when the sisters and often their families were not together in some way.  Carmen and Lola baked and cooked for almost every church function and became well known for their visits to the hospital or those who were home-ridden, bringing gifts of cookies to the unfortunate.  Carmen was truly one of the angels of Holy Angels.  After the two oldest children left the house, Carmen worked for a few years at Cedar Point, followed by many years with the family of Dr. Farid Said of Norwalk, becoming close friends.  Together with his current wife, Rosie, Dr. Said maintained that close friendship until her final day.  Her last job may have been one of her favorites.  She spent a couple of hours every week with her son, Richard, at the Bay Bell Restaurant just yards away from her home.  She made her famous Yaya’s Potato Salad and cut the vegetables for many orders of Yang Chou Fried Rice.  Her cheerful greeting will be terribly missed by all.  Besides baking countless cookies and other treats, Carmen’s other passions included knitting and playing cards.  She was happiest during the hours spent at a table playing pinnacle, a passion she shared with her husband, sister and brother-in-law.  Together they made for a raucous evening lasting well past midnight many nights.

Carmen is survived by brothers Julian and Juanito (Mari Angeles), sister Lola; children Richard (Meghan), Ana (James) and Kimberly; grandchildren, Amber, Nicholas (Hannah), Joshua, Heather (William), Elinor, and Julia; her great grandchildren, Oliver, Theodora and Charlotte; and many nephews, nieces and cousins on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean.

An Intentional Mass will be said for Carmen at Holy Angles Catholic Church on Sunday, September 15th at 10:30 AM, followed by a Celebration of Life at 2 PM at the Bay Bell Restaurant in Bay View, Ohio. A Memorial Mass will be held at 10:00 am on Friday, September 13, 2024, at Holy Angels Catholic Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Holy Angels (428 Tiffin Ave, Sandusky, Ohio 44870) or the Hogrefe Foundation (152 Columbus Ave, Sandusky, Ohio 44870).

Pfeil Funeral Home, Sandusky Chapel, 617 Columbus Avenue, Sandusky has been entrusted with arrangements.

Condolences may be shared with the family at pfeilfuneralhome.com.

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