Evenicia Echevarria-Gonzalez

Evenicia was born on August 28th, 1934 in Villabla, Puerto Rico to Claudia Gonzalez and Eladio Echevarria. Evenicia had a very big heart full of compassion. She loved having family around her, especially her grandkids, family was first to her. She was a very giving and loved helping people. She was the rock and the matriarch of her family. She grew up in Puerto Rico with her 9 brothers and sisters, and she also enjoyed spending time with 4 half-siblings. She would marry Miguel Sanchez and move to Illinois. She raised 4 children while working at Abbott Laboratories where she would retire in 1989. In 1990, she successfully entered remission from cervical cancer, and would move back to Puerto Rico. She spent 16 beautiful years in her home land before returning to Illinois due to a second cancer diagnosis of colon cancer. She would again enter remission in 2007. In March 2023 she was diagnosed with bladder cancer. She would spend the remainder of her life surrounded by her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and family.

Evenicia had a love for cooking, sewing, gardening, and crocheting. Her family will always treasure her presence, her home cooked meals, her beautiful designs and passion for creating. She was a die-hard Cubs fan and even after multiple falls and hospitalizations, still wanted to make the trip to see her favorite team play. Her last trip to see her Cubbies was with her late sister, Carmen, in 2019. She had an infectious laugh and a peaceful demeanor that will be greatly missed by all those who knew and loved her.

Evenicica was a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She is preceded in death by her parents, Claudia and Eladio, her siblings: Milan Echevarria Gonzalez, Carmen Echevarria Gonzalez, Ovidio Echevarria Gonzalez and great-grandchild Lily Chagoya.

She is survived by her 4 children: Hector Sanchez, Michelle Chagoya (Richard Chagoya), Janet Sanchez, and Jeffery Sanchez (Angela). Her siblings: Iris D. Echevarria Gonzalez,Heriberto Echevarria Gonzalez, Manuel Echevarria Gonzalez, Guillermina Echevarria Gonzalez, Aida Luz Echevarria Gonzalez, Jesus Manuel Echevarria Rivera, Eladio Echevarria Rivera, Héctor Echeverria Rivera, Carmen Maria Echevarria Rivera. Her 15 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, and numerous nephews and nieces that loved her dearly.

Friends and family will gather for a funeral service for Evenicia that will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday, August 2nd, 2023 at the Marsh Funeral Home, 305 North Cemetery Road, Gurnee, Illinois 60031. Interment will immediately follow the service at Ascension Catholic Cemetery. A visitation will be held at the funeral home on Tuesday, August 1st, 2023 from 5:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. A celebration of life will be held after the service at 2005 N. Bonnie Brooke Lane Waukegan, IL 60085.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MarshFuneralHome.com for the Echevarria-Gonzalez family.