Carmen Alene Kent

March 10, 1956 – April 1, 2019

Carmen Alene Kent passed away at the age of 63 on April 1, 2019, at Keefe Memorial Hospital in Cheyenne Wells following a decade-long fight with breast cancer.

She was brought into the world by Alma Rose and Floyd Nobles, Jr. on March 10, 1956, in Rifle. She is survived by her father, older brother Calvin, sister Carolyn and younger brother Arthur. When Carmen was a toddler, her best attempts at saying Arthur came out as Oscar, to which today he is still affectionately called. Carmen is remembered for being energetic and vivacious with a love for skiing and learning, a passion for children and a streak of mischievousness.

She graduated from Middle Park High School in Granby in 1974, thereafter attending and graduating from the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley. During her tenure in Greeley she fell in love with a man from the eastern plains, Bill Kent. Shortly after graduation, Carmen and Bill moved to Kit Carson, had lots of fun and were eventually married on April 18, 1981. During terminal phases of her illness, Carmen would still confess her undying love for her husband making remarks like “Papa Bill and I are in love.”

In addition to Bill, Carmen is survived by their “three really, good-looking children and spouses” Chandler and Briana Kent of Kit Carson, Jessica and Aras Worthington of Anchorage, Alaska, and Cassia and Chase Beek of Cheyenne Wells. Carmen gave all she had to her children, in every way, instilling in them the values and principles of family first, hard work, honesty, empathy, love for animals and love for others. Carmen was also a strict, no nonsense mother who had no fear of gathering her children in the blue van when found out past their curfew. All of her children knew that she loved them unconditionally and steadfastly. Her loss is keenly and deeply felt by her children, who will miss her the rest of their days.

Carmen has nine grandchildren who will cherish and treasure fond memories of her love and laughter. Her future grandchildren will know their grandmother by her strong spirit and memories shared by all. Carmen’s torch burns brightly within the children and grandchildren whom she loved deeply and unconditionally.

Carmen left behind of legacy of love. Her passion and dedication to the students and community of Kit Carson will be remembered for a lifetime. Her laugh will echo in halls of Kit Carson School forever. She was a staple in this small community and will be remembered for believing in all of her students, going the extra mile for anyone she could and giving selflessly. She showed and articulated the warmest regards and respect for her fellow faculty and coworkers, many of whom became Carmen’s close and personal friends.

Carmen loved to learn and travel. She traveled the world with energy and optimism and love for learning with her sister, Carolyn, in spite of her disease.  She loved literature and made annual trips to the Shakespeare Festival, also with her sidekick, soul sista.  She lived hard, fighting everyday despite her illness, refusing to let it get the best of her.

Carmen, even in the depths and anguish of her disease, did not display bitterness or resentfulness and managed through strength and integrity of character to smile, be polite and show kindness to others.  She woke every morning ready to “kick this day in the ass” and put on her Mary Kay. She is truly an inspiration of how to make the most of every passing moment and leave a mark of love and goodness on the world. God bless Carmen.

She also left behind a heck of a lot of thrift shop finds in which her children and husband have no idea what to do with.

Please join us in remembrance with love and celebration of her life Saturday, April 6, at 10:00 a.m. at her beloved Kit Carson School, directly followed by a burial service. To follow will be a community dinner in her remembrance at Church Alive.

Visitation will be held Friday, April 5, from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Brown Funeral Home, 335 S 1^stE, Cheyenne Wells.

Arrangements are under the direction of Brown Funeral Home.