Graciela Marcos

Graciela Marcos, 94, of Chicago, Illinois passed away early Friday morning on June 5, 2020 in the comfort of her own home, surrounded by loved ones. Graciela was born on January 21, 1926 in Havana, Cuba. She was raised Roman Catholic. Young Graciela sold Encyclopedia Britannica volumes for a while. Afterwards, she became a public relations / advertising career woman for Bacardi’s multinational company in Havana. During the Cuban revolution, Graciela debated whether she should join the militia, but quickly changed her mind when she realized Fidel Castro’s future plans for the island were not democratic ones and his lies disillusioned her. She became homeless during that socially and politically chaotic era, being forced to work in the sugar cane fields, Cuba’s version of concentration camp labor. Graciela’s health declined in that environment. Fortunately, she was welcomed into the home of Maria del Pilar Pla where she was treated as a member of the family. Eventually, Graciela became a life-long roommate, best friend, and companion to Pilar, who sadly passed away just two years ago. Once Graciela and Pilar families emigrated to the USA and began their new lives as Americans, they began to study and soon became American citizens. In Chicago, Graciela initially began working as a housekeeper in the Housekeeping Department of Mazel Medical Center’s Edgewater Hospital in the Edgewater neighborhood. Within a few years, she was promoted to the position of Housekeeping Department Supervisor. Her happy and successful career there lasted until her retirement.

Devoted daughter of Alejandro Marcos and Maria Luisa Valdes Marcos; Loving sister of Maria Marcos Abello, Zoraida Marcos, Alejandro Marcos, Jr., Dora Marcos Gordillo, and Olga Marcos; Beloved companion of Maria del Pilar Pla; Sweet and Endearing godmother to Natalie Romo Bagley (Michael Bagley); Beloved family friend to Jenie Romo Bayley (Andrew Bayley), Ivan Lee Romo, and Steven Romo (Erin Gschwind Romo); Dear aunt to Arturo Alfonso, Oscar Abello, Marianela Abello Peterson (Douglas Peterson), Adalberto Gordillo, Olgamaria Kaba Perez (Jose Perez), and Sergio Gordillo (Rhonda Horn Gordillo) along with several other nieces and nephews.

Due to the current pandemic status, a private burial will take place at Rosehill Cemetery in Chicago.

In lieu of flowers, please consider sending donations or memorials to one of Graciela’s favorite children’s charities:

1. Shriners Hospital for Children (specialized pediatric care)

2. St Jude Children’s Research Hospital (defeating childhood cancer)

3. Smile Train (cleft lip & palate children’s charity)