Maria Elena Menchaca

Maria who was also known to family and friends as Nena was born on June 1, 1937 in Juarez, Mexico. She was the daughter of Guerrero Arredondo and Adela Pinela Arredondo. Maria Elena had six brothers and five sisters.

Maria married Juan Menchaca in January 1960. Together they built a beautiful life and had five children; John (Mary) Menchaca of Peoria, Sandra (Danny) Menchaca of Murfreesboro, Tn., Jesse Menchaca of Peoria, Lisa (Wendell) Shaner of Yorkville, Il., and Natalia Menchaca of Peoria. She had seven grandchildren Lola Marie; Marissa; John Michael; Kara; Jayme; Jordan and MacKenzie. She also had six great-grandchildren; Lyric; Dominic; Evelyn; Hudson; Aria and Sawyer.

Maria worked at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center for 37 years, where Sister Canisia often relied on her to come interpret for their Spanish-speaking patients. Once retired from OSF, Maria, not one to rest for too long, became a lunch lady at Woodrow Wilson School, where she worked for 10 years.

Maria was a blessing to all that met her, never one to look down on another. Her heart and home were open to all. She offered a safe space and a soft place to land. Maria had five children that called her mom, but she was a mother to many.

Maria will be remembered for her fantastic cooking, for no one ever left her house hungry or without a plate of food, her beautiful smile and infectious laugh, her hugs that made all that received one feel loved, her dry wit and her endless dedication to her family. To know Maria meant that you always had someone out there looking out for you.

A Funeral Service for Maria will occur at 2 PM on Monday, March 20, 2023 at Davison Fulton Woodland Chapel, 2021 North University Street in Peoria. Visitation will be one hour prior. Burial will follow at Parkview Cemetery.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Davison-Fulton.com for the Menchaca family.