Carmen Brinkley, 82, of Hardyville, passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024.
Carmen was born in Paia, Hawaii on Sept. 25, 1941. She was the daughter of Pedro Navarro and Rufina Noble.
Carmen attended Holy Rosary in Paia and graduated from Maui High School in 1959. After completing high school, she moved to San Francisco and worked for the telephone company. While living in San Francisco, Carmen met her future husband, Joe Brinkley, and they married in 1962. Carmen and Joe had two sons, Joe Jr. and David, and would have celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary in February 2024.
In 1967, Carmen moved with Joe and her sons to the Richmond area where she worked for Reynolds Community College and, later, the Virginia Educational Loan Authority. Carmen and Joe spent almost 30 years at their home in Varina. In 2001, Carmen moved with Joe to their retirement dream home overlooking the Rappahannock River in Hardyville.
Carmen enjoyed sewing, quilting, crafting, gardening, and was an incredible gourmet cook. Her sewing, quilting, and craft projects adorned her Hardyville home and her green thumb was evident in her beautiful yard and plant collection. She was a loving and cherished wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend.
She is survived by her husband, Joe Brinkley; son, Joe Brinkley Jr.; and daughter-in-law, Rita Graf; granddaughter, Ashley Brinkley; sisters, Filey Navarro and Lillian Spragan; sister-in-law, Pat Navarro; many beloved nieces and nephews; and her adored dog, Lola .
Carmen was preceded in death by her son, David Brinkley; sisters, Rosita Cabotaje, Loreta Baza, and Juanita Soto; brothers, Albert Navarro and Rodney Navarro; sisters-in-law, Lorraine Navarro, Ginger Castle, and Patsy Brinkley; and brothers-in-law, Simeon Cabotaje, Peter Baza, Tom Brinkley, and Jim Brinkley.
A funeral service is planned for 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 27 at Catholic Church of the Visitation in Topping. The service will be followed by a celebration of Carmen’s life at noon in the church’s assembly room.
