DOVER - Carmen (Sastre) Lopez, 92, a resident of Dover for 66 years, died peacefully on Sept. 17, 2010, at the Compassionate Care Unit of St. Francis Hospital in Wilmington. Born in Pego, Alicante, Spain, she was the daughter of the late Rafael and Presentacion Guitart Sastre. After immigrating with her family when she was six years old in hopes of finding a better life, she worked with her family at the American Sumatra Tobacco Company in Simsbury, Conn., where her father was employed as foreman. Carmen was honored to become a naturalized citizen of the United States in 1956 but always revered her Spanish heritage and spoke of it proudly. After marrying her beloved husband Joseph Lopez in 1944, she relocated to Dover where they raised their four children. Since moving to Dover, she was a member of Holy Cross Catholic Church. Carmen was a master gardener and was known for her green thumb and her beautiful displays of flowers. She was always strong and active, taking daily walks through her neighborhood of 64 years, Eastlake Gardens, where she enjoyed meeting and talking with her many kind neighbors and friends. Those who knew and loved her will miss her sharp wit, easy laugh, and generous nature as well as the aged wisdom and Spanish lessons she willingly shared. She loved children and treasured the visits from her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Carmen had music in her heart and sang and danced throughout her life, often saying she was born dancing. In addition to her parents, Carmen is preceded in death by her husband of 42 years, Joseph Lopez; a daughter, Carmen Drennan; two sisters, Presentacion Mengual, and Teresa Sastre; and one brother, Raphael Sastre. She is survived by her eldest sister, Rosario Mengual, of Plainville, Conn.; her only son, Joesph Lopez, Jr. and companion Karan Dix, of Felton; her loving youngest daughter, Lolita Lopez Jesse and husband Donald Jesse, of Middletown; and daughter Linda McClure and husband Walter McClure, of Dover. She deeply loved her many nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Friends may call on Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2010, starting at 9:30 a.m. at the Funeral Home of Michael J. Ambruso, 1175 South State St., Dover. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11:30 a.m. at Holy Cross Church, 631 South State Street, Dover. Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Lolita Lopez-Jesse Endowment Fund for Westside Family Healthcare, 300 Water Street, Suite 200, Wilmington, DE 19801. (302-656-8292 or www.westsidehealth.org) Arrangements are by Michael J. Ambruso Funeral Director, Inc. Condolences may be forwarded and Guest Book signed via www.ambruso.com.