Maria Paredes

Maria Refugio (Cuca) Paredes, 86, of Chicago Illinois, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on March 5, 2019, Cuca was born October 30, 1932, in Panales Galera Guanajuato Mexico. She was the daughter of Maria Hernandez and Eutiquio Martinez.

Cuca came to this country as an immigrant single mother, not knowing the language, with very limited education and six children.

Cuca worked at Claussen Pickles Company for 23 years and retired at the age of 60 years. Cuca truly lived life to the fullest through simple pleasures by chatting with friends and family and traveling back and forth to Salvatierra Guanajuato Mexico and Chicago.

Cuca was an outstanding mother who motivated, encouraged her children with warm “consejos” (advice), and gently pushed each one of her children to work hard and never give up. It is because of her that her children are now living the American Dream. Indeed, Cuca was “Una Mujer Luchista” (woman fighter) who was not afraid of anything in the world and was an inspiration to her children.

Cuca is survived by her six children, Jose Luis Paredes, Jose Lupe Paredes, Yolanda Estrada, Juanita Paredes, MariaRosa Paredes Rangel and Veronica Paredes Aguirre; 14 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, 3 sisters, many nephews and nieces.

Memorial Services will be conducted Thursday, March 7, 2019, from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., at Kopicki's Heritage Funeral Home, located at 3117 South Oak Park Avenue Berwyn, IL 60402, to reminisce, grieve, support each other and, of course, just to chat. A special mass celebration will take place on Friday, March 8, 2019, at 9:30 a.m. at Saint Odilo Catholic Church located at 2244 East Ave, Berwyn, IL 60402.

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