Carmen (Bacon) Mauroni
“Auntie Boo Boo”
1948-2024
Carmen passed away suddenly on Mother’s Day, May 12, 2024 from a pulmonary embolism, Her loving partner/husband and family were by her side.
Carmen was born and raised in Eureka, where she grew up with her family and seven siblings. Carmen is a proud Native American of the Yurok Tribe. Growing up, her Yurok grandmother and mother taught Carmen the native traditions and values of her tribe and told her many stories of the past events. She enjoyed spending time on the reservation where she would camp and net fish for salmon on the Klamath River. She participated in brush dancing when she was younger. Carmen was an activist for Indian rights and participated in many protests for her beliefs.
Carmen attended Eureka High School and graduated in 1964. Following high school she attended beauty school in Marin County.
Carmen as a young lady started working at the Safeway bakery, where she met and married Arnie Mauroni. Carmen was married in a full native dress from head to toe. Together they had two beautiful daughters, Tonya and Cinya. Carmen and Arnie relocated back to Eureka, where they spent many blessed moments attending family potlucks, holidays, and birthdays. Fifteen years later they relocated to Santa Rosa, where she continued to be a child care provider and later worked at Friends House being a caregiver. She really loved her job and loved working with children and elderly people. Many people gravitated towards Carmen including her daughter’s friends, who often called her mom. Through the years, Carmen often opened her house with open arms to many of her daughter’s friends, nieces, nephews, brothers, and family who lived with her.
After Carmen’s divorce, she went on to meet her loving life-long companion David Hunter. They loved to spend time with their friends, dining out and dancing. They especially loved to spend time with their beloved dogs over the years. They eventually moved back to Eureka and bought a house together. They spent years renovating, decorating, gardening and filling the house with Carmen’s love of Indian baskets and pictures of their family. They spent 36 years together until her passing.
While living in Eureka she enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren in Santa Rosa, or her grandchildren would come up for a visit. Carmen’s grandchildren meant everything to her. She was the most thoughtful grandmother never forgetting a birthday or holiday. After her daughters and granddaughters taught Carmen how to use her iPhone she started using Facetime, sending texts and pictures which allowed her to be in touch on a daily basis with her family and friends.
She was so proud of her grandchildren. The eldest grandson, Brandon, is currently serving in the Army. Her second grandson, Chaise, is going to college and getting ready to transfer to a University. Her eldest granddaughter has a master’s degree and is an accountant. Her youngest granddaughter is attending college with straight A’s
Carmen’s daughters meant everything to her. Her girls were devoted to their mother and would do anything for her. Although they lived in different cities they were in constant contact daily and would visit as often as possible. They loved their mother with all their hearts, sending flowers and cards on holidays, spoiling her on her birthdays. Carmen was also devoted to her third daughter, her fur baby Fiona.
Carmen had a very special connection with her son-in-law Chris Gwin. Carmen met Chris when he was just a teenager, practically growing up in her household. When Carmen lived in Santa Rosa and was going through a divorce young Chris would put her on the back of his moped and give her rides to work everyday. Carmen really thought of Chris as a son and that unbreakable bond lasted for over 35 years. Carmen would always spoil him on birthdays and holidays. Chris was always there for Carmen for anything she needed. Chris helped Carmen on renovations with her home numerous times and most recently with a beautiful kitchen.
Carmen loved her siblings, nephews and nieces dearly. She has a very special relationship with her sister-in-law Diane Bacon. Her niece Tracy would come by for coffee and visit with her Auntie Boo Boo often. Her nephew Jason would call Auntie Boo Boo often and when he got to town her house was his 1st stop. Carmen and David also cared for her youngest brother Joseph in their home for 7 years after his stroke. Carmen made sure to spoil him with his favorite foods and treats.
Her family could always count on her for her support without judgment, stopping by her house to visit often or calling her.
Carmen enjoyed cooking (making the best potato salad that her family loved), keeping her house immaculate, watching her favorite news channel, reality TV, enjoying her favorite dinner, honey walnut prawns. Some other things she enjoyed were talking on the phone, going to the casino, drinking a margarita with her daughter, and taking trips to Santa Rosa to visit her family and friends.
Carmen is preceded in death by her grandfather Issac Mccovey, grandmother Elsie Gray Jones, father Gaylon Bacon, mother Elsie Mccovey Bacon. Little brother Gaylon Bacon, brother Gerald (Squeaker) Bacon, sister Bonnie Green. nephews Lucas and Danny Bacon, David and Anthony Johnson, and Christopher Durbin Cousins, Vivian and Johnny Simpson
Carmen leaves behind her beloved partner/husband, David Hunter, eldest daughter Tonya Mauroni, youngest daughter Cinya Mauroni-Gwin, son -in- law Chris Gwin, eldest grandson Brandon Rivera, second eldest grandson Chaise Noles, erldest granddaughter Jaiden Gwin, youngest granddaughter -Alyssa Gwin. Brothers: Raymond, Gaylon and Joseph Bacon. Sister: Marjorie Durbin. Sister-in-laws: Diane and Melissa Bacon. Brother-in-law: Richard Green. Nephews: Jason and Raymond Jr. Bacon, Gerald and Richie Green, Charles Johnson. Nieces: Tracey Mahoney, Cindy Green, Scottie Bacon, Elsie Bacon, Debra Moreland Angie Kuhnle, Brandy Senestraro Cousins, Sean, Tiannah and Pey-Goy Simpson. And many more second, third generation family
Memorial Service will be held:
June 29, 2024 at 3 p.m. Reception to follow service.
Sanders Funeral Home
1835 E St.
Eureka CA 95501
If you want to send flowers please contact: Eureka Florist, (707) 443-4811.
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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Carmen Mauroni’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.