Josefina Chavez (nee Reyes) died at St. Anthony hospital in Chicago on December 11, 2017, due to complications of lung fibrosis. She was 89. Mrs. Chavez was born May 16 in Chicago, IL to her parents, Manuel and Angelina Reyes. She married Joseph Chavez, Sr. and was a dedicated wife until his death in 1994. Mrs. Chavez was a homemaker and a caring and loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother.
Mrs. Chavez lived in the Pilsen community for most of her life and was a model parishioner at St. Vitus and St. Paul Church. She had a passion for cooking Mexican meals for her family, friends and neighbors. She lovingly made homemade tamales, especially during Christmas time. Mrs. Chavez was a child care provider to many during her lifetime and welcomed all the children in her care as her own.
Mrs. Chavez is survived by her children Joseph Jr., Jessie (Lolita), Julie, John, the late James, Joanne (David) and Jerry; and many grandchildren and great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Sr., her brother Anthony and son James.
Mrs. Chavez will be memorialized at Szykowny Funeral Home, 3-8 pm, 4901 S. Archer Avenue, December 15. A mass celebrating her life will be at St. Paul Church, 10 am, 2127 W. 22nd Place on December 16. She will be buried in St. Mary’s Cemetery.
The family would like to thank Chicago Commons Senior Care Services and the doctors and nurses at St. Anthony Hospital.
Offer Condolence for the family of Josefina Chavez
Print Obituary & Condolences
The Chávez family are cousins to our Morales-Viramontes family. As far back as my early boyhood years I can remember Josefina and her late husband Joseph Sr. kept in contact with my parents.
One morning in June of 1983, I spotted Josefina standing on the sidewalk outside her door where she and her family lived on 18th Street. I waved to her from the middle of the street; she waved back with a smile as we marched as a community in tribute for Rudy Lozano Sr.
I remember Josefina worked for a while in the kitchen preparing onions for Bishop’s Chili. She walked as a costumed participant in the Via Crucis in Pilsen. She even offered to have me officially ride my 10-speed racer in a Mexican Independence Day Parade in downtown Chicago!
Soon after my mom’s death in 1979, Josie phoned me to offer her condolences. And not long after that she and Joe visited with me at our former home one afternoon at 1354 N. Hamlin, Chicago.
I always felt welcome visiting with Josefina and her family when they lived across from Zapata Park.