Obituary of Maria Perez

Maria Lucila Perez "Abuela", 80, of Zion, died on Friday, September 21, 2007, at the Midwestern Regional Medical Center in Zion. Lucila was born October 31, 1926, in Arecibo, Puerto Rico, and was a member of Holy Family Church in Waukegan. If anyone remembers Lucila she was known as the neighborhood baby sitter. She touched many lives of children and had a love for crafts, especially sewing. Many of her family and friends have a blanket or a dress designed by Lucila and signed "Lucila Perez". We will especially miss her Puerto Rican cuisine. She is survived by daughter, Rosa E. Reyes of Zion; son, Jose L. (Cheryl) Perez of Beach Park; daughter, Lucila Sanchez of Waukegan; grandchildren, Juan Jr. (Kelly), Jeanne (Andre), Connie (Mike), Andrew, Rosa Linda (Bobbie), Richard (Davia), Nancy, Jolouie, Kimberly (Scott), Edelmira, Eladio, Hector and Jeffrey; seventeen great-grandchildren; sisters, Felisa Martinez and Josefa Soto; brother, Jose Ramon Betancourt; sister, Juanita Rodriguez; brother, Celestino Betancourt, sister, Nieves Chacon; and brothers, Victor, Cheo, and Cerilo Betancourt. She was preceded in death by her father and mother, Celestino and Nieves Betancourt; husband, Jose M. Perez; brother, Antonio Betancourt; nephews, Ramon Rios, Israel Rivera, and Nicky Perez; and niece, Theresa Delgado. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, September 27, 2007, at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Family Church, 450 Keller Ave., Waukegan. Interment will follow at Ascension Cemetery, Libertyville. Visitation will be Wednesday, September 26, from 5:00- 8:00 pm. at Congdon Funeral Home, 3012 Sheridan Rd., Zion. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested to the Arthritis Foundation.