Estrelita Ilustre Ling

Estrelita “Esther” Ilustre Ling, beloved wife of Gam “Art” Ling, dear mother to John (Kim), Lisa (ex son-in-law Don), and Julie (Jeff); loving grandmother of Kyla, Kira, Talon, Dragon, Asia, Jake, Phoenix, Jackson, Jillian, and Jade.

Esther Ling is our American hero, having both lived and fostered the American dream. She immigrated from the Philippines to the United States as a Registered Nurse in her twenties, in search of a better life. She met and married the love of her life, Gam “Art” Ling, in Houston,TX then traveled cross country with their young family to raise three successful children on the Northside of Chicago. Esther had an impactful career as an ICU nurse for 40 years and practiced at Cuneo, Weiss Memorial, Ravenswood, and Illinois Masonic Hospitals. She lived her life to the fullest by providing emotional and financial support to family, friends, and colleagues, and always took the time to embrace everyone's milestones and celebrations. The support for her large extended family, both in America and abroad was inspirational, as she sponsored and funded numerous family members, so they too could fulfill their dreams of becoming successful American citizens.

Her greatest legacy is her devotion to her husband and her faith, the unconditional love and success of her children, the pure joy of her grandchildren, and the happiness that so many have found because of her generosity. She will be remembered and missed all the days of our lives.

“It is not how much we give, but how much love we put into giving.”

Mother Teresa

In memory of Esther's love of flowers, we invite you to surround her with arrangements at Malec & Sons or contribute to a fund which has been created at Chicago Botanic Garden in her honor.

https://www.chicagobotanic.org/donate/tribute or call (847) 835-8333

Esther's Funeral Mass will be live streamed on Friday, April, 14 at 11AM. Please click the hyperlink attached https://www.smow.org, and once you're on the website click on the YouTube Link "Live Mass Streaming".

Friends and family will gather for a visitation for Estrelita on Thursday, April 13th, 2023 from 3:30 pm - 8:00 pm at Malec and Sons Funeral Home, (Edward A Tylka, Manager), 6000 North Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60646. We will gather again for a Mass of Christian Burial on Friday, April 14th, 2023 at 11:00 am at St. Mary of the Woods Catholic Church, 6955 North Hiawatha Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60646 followed by interment at Maryhill Catholic Cemetery & Mausoleum, 8600 North Milwaukee Avenue, Niles, Illinois 60714. For info call 773-774-4100 or visit www.MalecandSonsFH.com.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MalecandSonsFH.com for the Ling family.