Carmen J. Zambrano-Alvarez, of Philadelphia, passed away on September 21, 2021.  She was 86 years old.  Born in Chone, Ecuador, she was the daughter of the late Braulio Antonio Zambrano and Dimas Felicidad Alvarez.

Ms. Zambrano-Alvarez was known to have a well-balanced personality. She was both warm and loving coupled with a fierceness of spirit unexpected from such a diminutive body. The latter attribute was well known to her sons growing up in Philadelphia.

To bolster her strength she equipped herself with the necessary levers of power for a mother to maintain order in a household with two young boisterous boys. She would not be crossed! This same spirit enabled her to fight for her daughter to receive the necessary care she would need throughout her life. A steadfast mother, she did whatever it took to see that her children were well looked after. There was no ambiguity as to whether she had shown enough love toward them. It could be quite suffocating at times. But looking back on all of that now, it seems just right.

She is survived by her two sons, Jorge and Cesar Garzon, and daughter, Debbie Garzon. She will be sorely missed but the family is heartened to know that she lived a full life.

Services will be private.  Arrangements entrusted to The Oliver H. Bair Co.  (610) 449-8585