Guadalupe Cruz

GUADALUPE CRUZ, born in Aguascalientes Mexico on October 5, 1928 to the late Leonides Avila and the late Maria Ventura Calzada. She was one of 15 children. Margarito, Antonio, Fermin, Genaro, Nicolas, Everardo, Eliodoro, Julio, Juana, Maris, Ermelinda, Alejandria, and 2 other children that passed.

Guadalupe lived her life as a woman of faith and tried to teach her catholic faith to all her family. She prayed every day and throughout the day. She was a woman of high morals an integrity. Guadalupe was a great human being who gave her love to so many, and was loved by so many in return. She loved singing, dancing and most of all cooking.

Guadalupe being one of the oldest daughters carried a lot of the household responsibilities due to her Mother, Ventura having severe asthma. Her father, Leonides would remind his daughters it was their responsibility to cook, wash, iron, and clean. This was a big task, since they were a large family. She did her duties without complaining. She looked forward to finding the right man to marry and have children with. She eventually did meet the right man by the name of Pedro S. Cruz. When Pedro saw her, he was taken by her beauty. He fell madly in love with her. But as she said in her own words " she had options and couldn't decide immediately", but with his persistency she chose PEDRO. He was the "Love of her Life". They married, and she was so happy in her new home, which her and her husband built. It was her dream home. She wanted to have her own children, and was working at it, but sadly it neve happened. Guadalupe had such a big heart full of Love. She shared that love and in return Guadalupe was loved like a Mother from her 2 nieces, whom she loved as her own daughter, Martha and Livia. They were the daughters of her later sister Maria Ortiz and Jose Ortiz (her brother-in-law). In 1964 Guadalupe took in her 2 nieces, while her sister Maria Ortiz, went tot he United States to join her husband Jose Ortiz, for an opportunity to provide a better life for their family. Guadalupe cared for their girl like her own. Taking them to school, picking them up for lunch and again from school. Guadalupe was so happy with her family. She loved it, and so did the girls. They called her "Ama Lupe". In 1967 Maria and Jose returned for their daughters to move them to the United States, soon after Guadalupe and Pedro followed and moved into the home they all shared. In time her sister Maria's family grew to 6 children. Guadalupe once again stepped in to help care and love them. In time Martha and Livia married and had children of their own. As usual with Guadalupe's loving and caring heart took on the task of doing what came natural to her, loving and caring for their children as well. It was Adolfo Jr., David, Rick, Miguel, Tori, Tony, Leo, and Marina. They were very fortunate to be loved by this exceptional woman. She was the happiest when her extended family would visit her here in Chicago or in Mexico. Especially her late sister Alejandrina Esparza and her children, Maribel, Sandra, Baltzar, Edgar and Flor.

Towards the last days of her life she held onto her faith and prayed until she could no longer, it would now be her niece Martha who had to do the praying for her. Martha began to pray with her in those last days and Guadalupe would move her eyelids as to let her know she was listening and still with us. She would eventually pass peacefully in her sleep on January 26, 2022.

She is survived by her brother Eliodoro Avila, her beloved nieces/daughters Martha and Livia, many nieces and Nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. She will be missed.

A visitation for Guadalupe will be held Thursday, February 3, 2022 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Woodlawn Funeral Home, 7750 West Cermak Road, Forest Park, Illinois 60130. A funeral mass will occur Friday, February 4, 2022 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Mary Queen of Heaven Catholic Church, 5300 24th Street, Cicero, Illinois 60804. A graveside service will occur Friday, February 4, 2022 from 12:00 PM to 12:30 PM at Queen of Heaven Catholic Cemetery & Mausoleums, 1400 South Wolf Road, Hillside, Illinois 60162. A final viewing will occur Friday, February 4, 2022 from 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM, 7750 West Cermak Road, Forest Park, Illinois 60130.