Amante Carlquist - Obituary

mante Semmes Carlquist, 96, died peacefully on March 20, 2024 with her youngest son, Robert, at her side. Amante was born in Pensacola, FL where she lived most of her life until meeting and marrying then Ensign Roger Carlquist, USNA ‘48, while he was training to become a Naval Aviator. Her greatest love, by far, was her faith and her family. Amante had a radiance and beauty, both figuratively and literally speaking. She was extremely comfortable in social settings and loved to entertain. It’s because of this unique blend of qualities that she was named the Queen of Ariola in 1949 as part of Pensacola’s long standing Mardi Gras celebration tradition. After living in too many parts of the country to count, along with also living in several countries overseas, she and Roger settled in the Annapolis area in 1978. They initially lived in Severna Park before moving to Annapolis in 1996. Amante was active in community organizations including the Christ Child Society of Annapolis, Daughters of the American Revolution and The Panhellenic Club of Annapolis. She was an extremely accomplished bridge player which complemented her love for entertaining. A die-hard Navy football fan, she attended games through her mid-90s. She was predeceased by her loving husband, Roger, and is survived by her six children, Susan (Roy) Bucher, Katherine Campbell, Mary (Bill) Barker, Richard (Tasna) Carlquist, Monica (Ric) Murray and Robert Carlquist; ten grandchildren and sixteen great-grandchildren. Relatives and friends are invited to celebrate Amante's life on Sunday, May 5, from 4 to 6 pm at the Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory, 2973 Solomons Island Rd., Edgewater, MD. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Monday, May 6 at 10:30 am at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 620 N. Bestgate Road, Annapolis, MD. Interment at Arlington National Cemetery will be on June 13, at 9 AM. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Amante Carlquist’s name may be made to the Tailhook Educational Foundation, 9696 Business Park Ave, San Diego, CA 92131-1643 or the Christ Child Society of Annapolis.