Maria Ermelina "Ermie" Varoz Carrillo

Our beloved mother, grandmother, wife, sister, aunt, Godmother, and friend passed away to be with Daddy in the early morning of July 19, 2025. Ermie was born on February 7, 1932, in her childhood home in El Rito, New Mexico to Benigno Varoz and Carolina Gallegos Varoz. She loved her town in New Mexico and spoke of it often. In 1941 she moved to Salt Lake City so her family could join her father who worked in East Canyon as a sheepherder. Mom graduated from West High School when she was just 17 years old. While attending school in New Mexico she was often called to the local boarding school to tutor the older students in Spanish. Mom was intelligent, well-read, and had a quick wit. In 1951, mom's sister, Grace, introduced her to Willie (William) Carrillo at a Cinco de Mayo dance at Judge Memorial Catholic High School. They courted for two years while Dad was serving in the Marines and married on August 15, 1953, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Salt Lake. Together Mom and Dad had a beautiful family and were blessed with 10 children. Mom took great pride in our family and her posterity was her greatest joy. She truly loved each one of us. At times she was our fiercest critic, while championing our successes and pushing us to be our best. She was always our biggest fan. She doted on her boys and encouraged her girls to be strong women. She truly loved her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren and was generous with thoughtful gifts she meticulously picked out and shared with them, sometimes for no particular reason other than to make them feel special.

Mom was a beautiful seamstress with a great sense of style and flair. She made sure her children were dressed, pressed and well-groomed before leaving the house, especially for Mass on Sunday morning. Mom was Roman Catholic and prayed the Rosary every day. She gave us the gift of faith in our Creator and Savior and taught us our prayers, making sure we received our sacraments while learning the value and sanctity of human life.

Mom kept as tidy a house as was possible with 10 children under foot. She was a good cook, and her tortillas were legendary with the neighborhood kids. Every Christmas and Valentines she prepared dozens of sugar cookies wrapped in wax paper for our classmates.

Mom worked at Freshman's Jewelers in the early 50's and was a stay at home mom until she returned to work for Sears, Roebuck & Co. in the 1970's. She later became a teacher's aide at various Granite District elementary schools and loved sharing stories of the young students she taught. Mom was loved and respected in her community and touched many lives.

Mom lost Daddy in 2013 and has been waiting to reunite all these years later. We're certain it was a joyous reunion as Daddy adored her. 

Ermie is survived by her 10 children, Trudy (John) Kirby, Sacramento, California, Fedi Farnsworth, Joey Carrillo (Carrie Ferguson), Shonnie (Dave) Job, Tom (Julie) Carrillo, Joni (Tal) Harry, Lori (Roger) Burdette, Jim (Tammy) Carrillo, Ken (Steffanie) Carrillo, Robert (Kristi) Carrillo, 36 grandchildren, 45 great-grandchildren, plus spouses and 4 great-great-grandchildren, with 5 new babies on their way. Sisters, Grace V. Moore and Linda V Nielson, brother, Steven (Dee) Varoz. Preceded in death by parents, brothers Bel Varoz, Ben Varoz, Jubie Varoz, Joseph Varoz, sisters, Patricia Varoz, Lupe Varoz Romero, and granddaughter, Stephanie Marie Job.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held August 1, 2025, 11 AM at St. Martin De Porres Catholic Church, 4914 South 2200 West, Taylorsville, Utah. Interment: Valley View Memorial Park, with luncheon to follow at the church. Viewing and visitation July 31, 2025, 5-7 PM, Rosary to follow at 7 PM at McDougal Funeral Home, 4330 South Redwood Road, Taylorsville, Utah.