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CARMEN BURAFATO
F1994
Our hearts were saddened on learning of the passing of clearly loved Carmen de Burafato. The news came to us during the National Convention from one of the delegates, and the gathering had the opportunity to pray for the progress of the soul of this long—time, dedicated maidservant.
Sta. de Burafato was very much a part of the United States community from where she left for Mexico as a pioneer during the Ten Year Crusade. We are the beneficiaries of her untiring services that will continue to bridge the physical borders
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IN MEMORIAM 1992—1997
Carmen Burqfizto
that exist between our communities. Please convey our condolences to her family whose loss we share.
'Ihe National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States to the National Spiritual Assembly of Mexico
Lttle is known of Carmen Burafato’s early life. She became a Bahá’í in the San Francisco Bay area in 1948. Two years later she married Sam Burafato, an American veteran. After her declaration she wrote to the Guardian asking him what she could do for the Faith. The Guardian replied that she should return to Mexico, so the Burafatos moved in 1957—Carmen as “a true pioneer to her own country.” Sometime later Sam declared his faith. The Butafatos earned a living by operating a bakery and later were wholesalers of flowers. They also bought and sold real estate in San Miguel Allende where they lived, and it has been said that they “virtually lived by their wits.” In San Miguel
I49
Allende they built and donated a Bahá’í center to the local community.
Carmen Burafato was one of the first Latin American women appointed in 1964 as an Auxiliary Board member. She supported the work of the Hand of the Cause of God Dr. Ugo Giachery in Mexico, Central America, and the Antilles. In 1967 she attended the International Conference and the laying of the foundation stone of the Panama Temple. During this time she hand delivered banquet invitations to the embassies and consulates. Five years later she returned for the dedication of the Temple.
In 1968 she was appointed by the Universal House ofjustice as a member of the Continental Board of Counsellors for the Americas, serving that institution until 1985, a period of seventeen years. Traveling extensively she was an inspiring speaker, especially when the topic was the equality of men and women. She represented the international Bahá’í community as a panelist consulting on the role of religion at a special session of the tribune of nongovernmental organizations—a parallel event to the First World Conference on Women held in Mexico in x975.
A friend remembers:
She had a remarkable gift of insight that allowed her to see past the superfluous to the essence of an issue or an indiVidual. She was quite a direct person, and you could count on her for an honest answer. She also, as evidenced by her service in the Institute of the Learned, had the ability to focus.
Soon after she completed her service as a Counsellor, she was elected to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Mexico and served it from 1986 to 1992. She continued to serve on the Local Assembly of San Miguel Allende until her passing on April 14, 1994, in Celaya. Her
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150 THE BAHA’I’ WORLD
funeral was held the following day in her hometown.
The Universal House ofjustice cabled the National Spiritual Assembly of Mexico on April 18th:
DEEPLY SADDENED LOSS OUTSTANDING PROMOTER FAITH CARMEN BURAFATO. HER EXTENSIVETEACHING AND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES, CROWNED BY HER MANY YEARS AS COUNSELLOR IN THE AMERICAS, ARE UNFORGET‘ TABLE. MAY HER EXAMPLE INSPIRE THE MEXICAN BELIEVERS NEW HEIGHTS OF DEDICATION. ADVISE HOLD MEMORIAL MEETINGS MEXICO. OFFERING FERVENT PRAYERS PROGRESS HER NOBLE SOUL ABHA KINGDOM. KINDLY CONVEY HEARTFELT CONDOLENCES HER HUSBAND, RELATIVES AND FRIENDS.
