Isabelle Arroyo

Isabelle Arroyo, age 96, passed away peacefully Saturday, May 8 in her home surrounded by her loving family.  She was born on August 18, 1924 in Valley Junction, Iowa the 3rd of 10 children to the late Vincente Guzman and Martha Hernandez.  She is survived by her younger sister Rachel (Erasmo) Perez, her sons Stanley (Sally), Augustine Jr. (dec. Natividad), David (Melody), Audrey (Efrain), 21 grandchildren, 50 great grandchildren and 13 great-great grandchildren.

Isabelle married Augustine Arroyo and together they had 7 children.  She was a woman of many talents and inner strengths who took pride in her Mexican heritage.  She was proud to have danced folkloric dance as a young teenager and continued her love of dancing throughout her life.  From a young age she was an accomplished seamstress creating beautiful lasting fashions which were memories for her family throughout her long life.  She and her husband owned two businesses in West Des Moines in the late 70’s and early 80’s, The VJT Tapp and Isabela’s.  When she came back to Chicago, she worked for the City of Chicago as a crossing guard.  She took pride in herself for being in her forties when she mastered the Spanish language.  Working with her three close friends she used her language skills and inner strength to start a food kitchen at St. Matthews Lutheran Church in Pilsen working there for 37 years.  She was a very strong-willed woman who did not hold her tongue.  To say she had no filter is an understatement.  Isabelle was an avid reader who loved her novels and her daily Sun Times.  She would say reading helped keep her mind sharp which contributed to her being so alert and observant til her last days.

Isabelle was predeceased by her husband Augustine, her daughter Christina, her sons Steven and Tony, and her grandson Danny.

Isabelle will be held in waiting on Wednesday, May 12, 2021 from 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Christian Fellowship Church, 4220 West 59th Street, Chicago, Illinois.  A prayer service will be held Thursday, May 13, 2021 at Christian Fellowship Church at 10:00 am with a final resting place at St. Mary Cemetery, 87th and Pulaski Road, Evergreen Park, Illinois.

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Following State of Illinois COVID-19 guidelines, only 100 people, (including school age children) are permitted in the Chapel at all times; this does not include funeral home personnel or clergy/celebrant/s). “We kindly ask to keep your visitation short and brief to allow other guests to pay their respects and to minimize those people that are waiting to also pay their respects. Face masks, use of hand sanitizer and social distancing are required. It is advised that No one should come to the wake service or burial if they are sick or are caring for someone sick at home.

All attending wake services must register with funeral home personnel upon entering church. **Please be respectful of the wishes of the family. Please follow social distancing guidelines & wear your face mask at all times. As much as the family would love to receive your hugs it’s important to provide safety for all. Funeral Associates will be directing those paying respects upon entering the church.

ALL ATTENDEES must cover using mouth-face mask covers, respect social distancing and use of hand sanitizers. **According to the regulations CDC; the Archdiocese of Chicago, Churches and Cemeteries due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, those attending the church and or burial services,

Thank you for your cooperation during these difficult times.

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