Maria Eugenia Chinchilla

Maria Eugenia Chinchilla, born on June 6, 1921 was the daughter of Gustavo Rodriguez Sanchez and Celina Cordoba Sanchez. Her father was a florist and her mother ran a "pulperia," a corner store with a lunch counter. Her siblings included: Theresa, Flor, Gustavo (Tabito), Alicia, Jose Maria, and Gilberto. In her final years Maria would recount stories of her childhood in Costa Rica: playing in the street till dusk until the mounted police came through the neighborhood to tell all the children to go home; climbing banana trees in their backyard; helping her father make floral wreaths. Her mother Celina passed away when Maria was only 8 yrs old. Maria completed the 6th grade then focused on helping her family in the home. Since she didnt finish school Maria always valued education and encouraged her children and grandchildren to pursue their educations. On September 11, 1937 Maria married Carlos Chinchilla, a soccer player and tool and die mechanic. They had five children Gloria, Rony, Tommy, Glenn and Norma. The family lived in Panama then moved to Detroit, following job opportunities. For a short time the family moved to Palo Alto, Ca then returned to Detroit. After landing in Southwest Detroit, they moved to the east side and she lived on Field, Dickerson and Pelkey Maria loved being a homeowner and remembered all the addresses and phone numbers of her homes through her dementia. In her later years Maria lived with her daughter Norma in Grosse Pointe Park. Marias family and friends will remember her homecooked meals, of which she once said, "I show my love through my cooking". Her family will especially remember her Arroz con Pollo and Tamales at Christmas. Maria was an incredibly friendly woman, while pinching fruit in the produce section she would chat up other ladies and ask them how they cook that vegetable then go home and try to recreate the recipe. Her favorite songs included Besame Mucho by Lucho Gatica and Love Me Tender by Elvis, both of which she would sing while doing dishes and chores. She was a devoted friend, and could talk on the phone for hours. An avid gardener, her backyard in the east side of Detroit included apple, pear, peach, apricot and plum trees, raspberries, grapes and enough vegetables to feed the whole neighborhood. Maria passed away peacefully in her sleep on October 12, 2018. Marias strength, strong will and endurance lives on through her family. Her spirit is carried on by her 4 living children, 11 grandchildren and great-grandchildren, which live in Atlanta, Detroit, Miami, Sarnia and Toronto. A special thank you to the staff at Advantage Living Center in Harper Woods that cared for her in her final days. Another special thank you to the Services for Older Citizens (SOC) in Grosse Pointe, for the support, community and fellowship they provide. Friends are welcome to celebrate her life at Saint Ambrose Church, 15020 Hampton St, Grosse Pointe Park, MI on Friday, October 26th, memorial visitation 10:30 am until time of mass 11:00 am, followed by an informal lunch.

Funeral Home:

A. H. Peters Funeral Home of Grosse Pointe

20705 Mack Avenue

Grosse Pointe Woods, MI

US 48236

Service:

A. H. Peters Funeral Home of Grosse Pointe

20705 Mack Avenue

Grosse Pointe Woods, MI

US 48236

Visitation:

A. H. Peters Funeral Home of Grosse Pointe

20705 Mack Avenue

Grosse Pointe Woods, MI

US 48236