Carmen Ackerman was not only the mother of 5 and grandmother of 10, but she was also the inspirer of far too many to count. A victim of domestic violence, Carmen stood up to her aggressor and in an act of courage she packed her kids up and forged a journey to a then unknown land, Maine. Upon arriving she made a life for her and her boys. Along the way Carmen got sick and her lungs collapsed. After 7 operations she was left with a trach to help her breathe. Carmen was a fighter but the lack of movement caused her to gain a massive amount of weight which led her to develop diabetes. Carmen was on the brink of losing her life for the 4th time but she was not done fighting. With her determination plus the assistance of her son and personal trainer Dcruz, she got on the comeback trail to a healthier self and was even recognized in a Channel 8 news segment titled "Weight Loss Battle" (link to segment http://m.wmtw.com/health/Video-Carmen-s-Weight-Loss-Battle/19245544 ). Things were looking up for Carmen but her celebration was short lived. Carmen was diagnosed with stage 4 cervical cancer. She was given 3 months to live but Carmen would go on to fight for a whole year before the cancer spread throughout her body and into her brain. On a sunday, Carmens favorite day because its when her kids came together for family dinner, she suffered a massive seizure which left her brain dead... Carmen came to pass peacefully in her sleep on march 2nd 2015 at 5:15 am with her children alseep around her.  To say she will be missed is an understatement and the people she has touched will stand as a testament of the difference one person can make. We ask that you help us honor her with a proper send off and funeral service. For everyone who knew her will never forget Carmen the mom, carmen the friend, Carmen the fighter.... Rest in Peace abuela ("grandmother").