Margarita Morales

Margarita was born on May 20, 1928 in Chiquinquira, Boyaca, Colombia to Rafael and Fidelia Pachon. She was the second oldest of nine children.

In 1957 Margarita married Honorio Morales, and they soon immigrated to the United States. They had three children, John, Elsa and Joseph. Margarita became an American citizen, but never lost her love of her homeland and extended Colombian family.

Margarita raised her three children as a single parent, and she was lovingly devoted to her children, and later her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was affectionately known as "Mima". She loved swimming and cooking, entertaining and hosting elaborate dinner parties in her home for her family and friends. She was also an outstanding empanada and tamale maker!

Margarita was a devout Catholic for all of her life. She attended daily Mass and faithfully prayed the Rosary every day. She traveled to the Vatican and met Pope St. John Paul II on November 20, 2002. She loved the Blessed Mother Mary and Our Lord Jesus with all of her heart. She was born in the town of The National Shrine of Our Lady of Chiquinquira, Patroness of Colombia. She also visited many other Marian shrines, including Fatima, Lourdes, St. Catherine Laboure in Paris, and Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City.

Education was very important to her and to all of her children. They all attended private Catholic schools. Margarita's own education as an accountant graduating from La Universidad Nacional de Bogota was quite an accomplishment for her time. She used that education to pursue a career in Accounting working for El Country Club de Bogota, Weyerhaeuser and later at A. Lakin & Sons, where she was financial controller for many decades.

Margarita had an outgoing, friendly and loving personality. She was a leader in the Colombian-American Community in Chicago. She engaged in many charitable works, including Las Damas Auxiliares de Colombia, the Latin American Chamber of Commerce (founding member), and La Casa de la Cultura. She was also a founding member of the Colombian American Foundation. This organization helps the poor and destitute in Cartagena and Choco-Quibdo, Colombia. Margarita received the 2013 International Peace Award for Colombians working outside of Colombia for Children.

Margarita loved her many pets over the years and cherished her beagles and her cats, especially Snoopy and Mousey. Margarita was passionate about traveling all over the world. She visited friends and relatives in Europe and Colombia, and took many vacations with her children in later years and created timeless memories.

Margarita received loving and heartfelt care while living with the Little Sisters of the Poor for the last nine years, first in the Jeanne Jugan apartments and then at St. Mary’s home.

Margarita is survived by her children, John (Cindy), Elsa (Dick) and Joseph, her grandchildren Holly (Dan), Tommy, Maggie, and Joseph Dominic, her great grandchildren Abby, Scotty and Johnny, her sisters Emma and Aurora, and many cousins.

She is preceded in death by her siblings Beatriz, Isabel, Gloria, Elena, Rafael, and Eduardo.

Margarita was the Matriarch of our family and her love for her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, is a legacy that will live on eternally.

IN LIEU OF THE FLOWERS: donations can be made in Margarita Morales' name to St Mary's Home - Little Sisters of the Poor, 2325 N Lakewood Ave, Chicago, IL 60614.

WAKE: Friday, Oct. 11th, 4-8pm, Malec and Sons Funeral Home, 6000 N. Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60646

ROSARY: Friday, Oct 11th. 6pm, Malec and Sons Funeral Home, 6000 N. Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60646

VISITATION: Saturday, Oct. 12th, 10-11am, Little Sisters of the Poor- St Mary’s Home, 2325 N. Lakewood, Chicago, IL 60614

ZOOM LIVE STREAMING at (Little Sisters of the Poor- St Mary's Home: Oct 12, 2024 10:00 AM Time Meeting ID: 857 8053 3409 Passcode: 250450

FUNERAL MASS: Saturday, Oct. 12th, 11am, Little Sisters of the Poor- St Mary’s Home, 2325 N. Lakewood, Chicago, IL 60614

INTERMENT: Saturday, Oct. 12th, following Mass All Saints Cemetery, 700 N River Rd, Des Plaines, IL 60016