Juanita Virginia Virginia Rodriguez Lepe

Juanita Virginia Lepe Rodriguez age 55 went to join Our Lord Jesus Christ, her Mother, Father and Brother on Sunday, March 18, 2012 at Mac Neal Hospital in Berwyn, Illinois after suffering a Diabetic Coma.

Juanita is survived by her beloved husband Carlos Lepe her loving children Ruben J. (Victoria) Lepe and Monica I, Lepe. Her cherished family, Pola I. Rodriguez, Concepción (Zacarias Moreno) Rodriguez, Gelacio (Fina) Rodriguez, Mario (Irene) Rodriguez, San Juanita Herrera. Her nieces and nephews: Priscilla Naomi Vargas, Ruben Michael Bañuelos, Isauro Valdez, Julia Valdez, Abel Miramontes, Daniel Moreno, Adriana Victoria Moreno, Alexandra Rebecca Moreno, Andres Rodriguez, Patricia Angelica Rodriguez, Mateo Rodriguez, Diana Herrera, Raul Herrera. Great nieces and great nephews:

Ruben R. Rodriguez, Jasmine Rodriguez, Nathaniel Rodriguez, Daniel Rodriguez, Samantha Vargas, Kristina Vargas, Angelica Vargas, John Michael Bañuelos, Landen T. Bañuelos, Tessa Bañuelos, Isabella Valdez, Joshua Valdez, Samuel Valdez and Zorida Rodriguez. Juanita was preceded in death by her parents Ruben R. Rodriguez, Julia Macias Rodriguez, and her brother Ruben B-B Rodriguez.

Visitation: Friday, March 23, 2012 at St. Procopius Church from 3:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.at 1641 S. Allport Street, Chicago, Illinois 60608.

Funeral Services: Saturday, March 24, 2012 at St. Procopius Church, 1641 S. Allport St., Chicago, Illinois. Celebration of Life service at 9:15 am. Funeral Mass at 10:00 a.m. Procession to Woodlawn Crematory, Forest Park, Illinois.

Services have been entrusted to her sister Concepción Rodriguez, Funeral Director along with Dignity Memorial Funeral Directors: Frank J. Zefran, John Issacson, Lois M. Zefran, Carmen M. Perez, Peter Kennedy, Phil Dalcamo and Debbie Jerry Zefran.

Please visit and celebrate Virg's life at Dignitymemorial.com Please leave messages of how Juanita Virginia touched your life.

“Anything is possible.” That is what Juanita Virginia Lepe believed about life. She was a creative woman, a perpetual inventor, who seemed to be able to find a solution for any difficulty confronting her. She had faith in her ability to find those solutions. Virginia thoroughly enjoyed understanding how things worked. She possessed an inquisitive, confident, and rational nature matched with a versatile and agile mind. Virginia was a person who believed that she could achieve whatever she set out to do.

Virginia was born on August 22, 1956 at St, Anthony Hospital in Chicago, Illinois. Her parents were Ruben and Julia Rodriguez. Virginia was raised in Pharr, Texas and Chicago, Illinois. She showed her ingenuity even as a child. When she was confronted with a problem, Virginia could develop an imaginative solution, and she derived satisfaction from knowing she had that ability.

This same talent for finding solutions had a positive bearing on Virginia's family relationships. Virginia was raised with five siblings. She had one older sister Maria San Juanita, two younger sisters Pola and Concha and two younger brothers Gelacio and Ruben B-B. When a difficult situation or dilemma arose within the family, Virginia was always there to help figure out a solution for making things work.

As a young girl, Virginia could be found building and inventing new and different things. She was curious, resourceful and interested in anything original. In her spare time she liked to read always gave out birthday cards to all her family and friends. Virginia's memorable achievements included going to Springfield, Illinois on her 8th grade class trip from St. Procopius Church.

Endowed with an appetite for knowing how her world worked, Virginia enjoyed school, especially when the learning experience involved dissecting and probing the unknown. Virginia was adept at scrutinizing different possibilities and designing innovative solutions. She graduated from Richards Vocational High School in 1974. She enjoyed some courses more than others, having favorite classes and teachers. Her favorite class in high school was Short hand and typing. Of being always friends to so many. Virginia had many favorite teachers but on in particular was her grammar school teacher Mr. Irvin, who she connected with many years after grammar school and Virginia and her wrote eache other for years until Mrs. Irvin assed away. Virg always remembered everyone's birthday if you were her friend or family you always got a birthdaycard and a little something special she truly was a gem. She will be greatly be missed not only by her family but by all her friends, God Children, "Play sisters" and co-workers.

Virginia was socially resourceful, an expressive person who was willing to try new things. These qualities drew a lively circle of friends around her. Always interested in her friends’ activities and interests, Virginia was uncritical of her acquaintances. She was sought after by people who recognized that she was generous with her time and energy, and these same friends found Virginia to be very stimulating company. Virginia's humor and curiosity were contagious for those around her. While growing up, some of her best friends were Carmen Mejia, Rosa Mejia, Tita Graciano, Martina Aldape, Sara Aldape, Monica Ortiz, Mary Dyess, Sylvia Soto, Lucy Garcia, Shirley Paige, Linda, Graciela, Maria Cuellar, and Lydia Cuellar. Later in life, she became friends with Lucy Losoya, Rosa Molina, Marsha Olivarez, Gloria Ibarra, and Cecilia Paz. Paulette Boyd. Virg or as her friends from school and work called her “Juanita” met regularly for lunch, breakfast and outings. Her circle of friends from grammar school met regularly they called themselves the “Breakfast Club”

On June 15, 1985 Virginia exchanged wedding vows with Carlos Lepe at Sr. Procopius Church of Chicago, Illinois. Virginia was adept at devising original and creative ways to enhance and improve the marriage partnership. Virginia was seldom a critical person, but rather the one who was able to bring out the best in others. Virginia was an entertaining conversationalist who was quick to respond to her spouse’s needs. She was a vibrant personality and she enjoyed verbally sparring with Carlos. In fact, those who knew her often remarked that Virginia loved to argue for argument’s sake. She was very perceptive in recognizing others’ feelings, especially regarding Carlos's.

Virginia's remarkable talent for being inventive influenced her relationship with her children. She would create original, clever and fun games for her kids and had a knack for finding ways to make every day events, even chores, enjoyable to them. Virginia was blessed with two children, one son Ruben and one daughter Monica. Someone who was quick to laugh, Virginia found it easy to spend lots of time with her children, but she was never overbearing or guilty of pushing herself on them.

As a born inventor, Virginia was definitely in her element in her work place. She could easily create new and innovative systems, and incorporate those changes to bring a fresh approach to any work situation. Virginia was a focused worker with a strong drive for achievement. She could assess all of the options before her and, using her analytical skills, could comfortably find answers that no one else had even considered. Her personal initiative inspired those around her. Virginia was always good at getting a project started and then, at the appropriate time, handing it on to a colleague. Her primary occupation was Intake worker for Legal Aid. She was employed for Metropolitan of Chicago formally United Charities for over 30 years. Virginia always made an effort to be a team player, doing what needed was necessary in order to get the job done.

Virginia's passion for finding a better way to do things was often an end in itself for her. In fact, that interest by itself became something of a hobby for this perpetual problem solver. Since Virginia was always searching for new and unusual activities, she developed many interests and leisure pursuits. Some of the things she became an “expert” in might come as a surprise to those who knew her, but most friends and family understood that Virginia simply couldn’t be limited to just a few activities or ideas. Her favorite pursuits were collecting key chains and purses.

Virginia was continually concerned with the status of local, national and even world affairs. Her keen interest and strong values led her to become active in her community. Serving on committees for the Catholic Community of Pilsen now known as the Pilsen Resurrection Project and St. Procopius Parish Council. Politically, Virginia was a proud Democratic.

Faith and religion were important to Virginia. She was a member of St. Procopius Church for over 40 years. During that time, she was a catechist under the direction of Sister Angela, Virginia took Special classes so she could teach children with Special needs Religion she had many who she taught and even took sign language classes to be able to communicate with the deaf children.

With all of her talents, her ingenuity, her solutions and inventiveness, it is no surprise that Virginia received public recognition for her competence. With the drive and ability to meet any challenge, Virginia accumulated a long list of achievements throughout her life. Some of her most prestigious awards included from her employment of good service. Spirituality was once meeting and embracing Mother Teresa of Calcutta, meeting Dolores Huerta

Having the opportunity to visit and explore a new place always intrigued Virginia. Traveling and going away on vacations offered yet another opportunity for Virginia to expand her ever-growing inventory of knowledge. Favorite vacations included to Pharr, Texas and throughout Texas, Las Vegas, Nevada, California, and Mexico.

Virginia passed away on March 18, 2012 at Mac Neal Hospital in Berwyn, Illinois. Virginia fought a long battle with Diabetes and after suffering a Diabetic Coma she never fully recovered after that. She is survived by her husband Carlos, her children Ruben and Monica, her sisters Pola, Concha, San Juanita, Gelacio and Mario. Services were held at Woodlawn Funeral Home and St. Procopius Church. Virginia was laid to rest with her beloved parents and brother.

During her lifetime, nothing appeared impossible to Virginia. She met the words “it can’t be done” with the enthusiastic challenge of a “wanna bet” attitude. Virginia was able to recognize the possibilities a new idea held, even when those around her could not. For Virginia, the traditional way of doing things fell short of her expectations, especially if there were original and untested methods for handling a challenge. For Juanita Virginia Lepe, the fun of living her life could be found in the challenge.

"They say that can't put a value on friendship and love but the richest woman that graced us in this life time was my sister and friend Juanita Virginia Rodriguez Lepe August 22, 1956 - March 18, 2012" - Concha Rodriguez