Our beloved mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother and aunt, Carmen Slough, died peacefully on April 27 at the age of 110 in her home.
Carmen was pre-deceased by her husband Alfred Slough, who died in 1948. Carmen is survived by son Robert (Bob) and his wife Carol, of Apple Valley, California, and Bob’s children, Jeffry (Rhea) Slough of Bellingham, WA and LeAnn Slough of Hawthorn, CA. Carmen leaves great-grandchildren Jerry Slough (Samantha) of Bellingham, WA and Alexis Donnelly (Rylan) of Ferndale, WA.
Carmen is also survived by her beloved brother, Antonio (Tony) Blanco of Phoenix; nieces, nephews, great and great-greats; her dearly loved long-time friend and caregiver, Aurora Wallace; and Carmen’s little companion dog, Muffy.
We will all miss her lovely home, the gathering place of our lifetimes, and we will miss her, our wise, candid matriarch. She has long been the tie that has bound our family together.
Born in Douglas, Arizona to Spanish immigrants in 1914 during the Spanish flu pandemic, Carmen survived many pandemics and epidemics during her lifetime. It is impossible to list the vast array of changes her lifetime has wrought. She lived through two World Wars, having had brothers and friends who served in World War II. She saw Globe evolve from dirt streets and cattle drives down Broad Street to, presently, today’s electric cars traveling Broad Street. She hand-wrote accounting ledgers in her businesses, but then learned to create computerized spreadsheets, have a Facebook page and use a cell phone.
Carmen was an entrepreneur from an early age with her husband Alfred. Together, they owned and operated “Slough’s Market.” Later, she and brother Edward co-owned and operated Carm-Ed’s Men’s and Boy’s Clothing store for 47 years.
Carmen was a quintessential pragmatist. After the death of her husband, as a single mom, she raised and college educated her beloved son, who became an educator and coach. She believed in hard work, in navigating life’s difficulties, and she always did so with her characteristic grace and elegance. Carmen epitomized the term “iron fist in a velvet glove” and she proved her courage, strength and stamina in all her challenges and undertakings.
Carmen became iconic in Globe as a local celebrity who was often seen working in her garden, participating in the local Elk’s Emblem Club, at community plays and musical events. Carmen was honored at the age of 100 for being the oldest living graduate of Globe High School and was inducted into the GHS Hall of Fame. She is well known for her philanthropy and community involvement.
Carmen valued family; son Bob most of all, daughter-in-law Carol, her dear friend Aurora, her extended family, her little dog Muffy, and Globe, the community she cherished.
In lieu of a funeral, a Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, June 8 at the Globe Elks Club.
