Maria Del Carmen Ortiz de Meza

It is with heavy hearts we announce Maria Del Carmen Ortiz De Meza (“Maria”), age 102, passed away peacefully at home on January 18, 2020. She was born and raised in Jutiquile, Olancho, Honduras. However, Maria immigrated to Waukegan Illinois in 1981 and later became a naturalized United States citizen on September 27, 2001.

Maria was born on May 1, 1918 to Vincente and Dionicia Ortiz. She is predeceased by her husband of over 50 years, Felipe Santiago Meza Muñoz. Maria and Felipe had nine children, including Martha Meza de Chapas, Jose Saul Meza, Felipe Edgardo Meza, and Anabel Del Carmen Meza who have since passed away. She is survived by her daughters Emelina (Maximiliano) Murillo who cared for her until her dying day, Gilsa Pereira and sons Miguel Angel (Rosario) Meza, Mario Antonio and Oscar Rolando Meza.

Maria is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was an extraordinary caregiver to them her entire life. Maria’s love and unselfish nature will never be forgotten. Although dementia started to take its toll during the last years of her life, her personality never wavered. Maria was always smiling, joking, dancing and singing.

Maria was a devout follower of Christ her entire life. She was a longtime member of Light and Grace Baptist Church in Waukegan, formerly Primera Iglesia Bautista. Maria’s command of God’s Word was exemplary, memorizing and reciting entire chapters of the Bible in front of the congregation. Her spirited participation in numerous church activities was an example for her fellow congregants. Most of all, everyone could testify that Maria’s love of Christ never wavered.

All relatives and friends are invited to the wake at Peterson and Patch Funeral Home located at 408 North Sheridan, Waukegan on Thursday January 23, 2020 from 5-8 PM. There will be a funeral service at 10:00 AM the following day on Friday at Light and Grace Baptist Church located at 560 Belvidere Road in Waukegan. Interment will be at Ascension Cemetery in Libertyville.