Raquel Rosario Paez, nee Perez, 89, of Burr Ridge passed away Sept. 29, 2019.
She began her life humbly in Central Macareño, Cuba, on a sugar cane plantation. She studied at the Colegio Teresiana and Institute de Camaguey before marrying Jorge and beginning her family. In 1962, they fled Cuba and moved to Chicago. Leaving her "lost paradise" of Cuba meant leaving her home and many friends and family, including her father. She overcame many challenges and created a beautiful life for her growing family. She loved her adopted home and was an enthusiastic fan of all things Chicago.
Raquel celebrated a life devoted to others, especially her family. She loved talking to anyone and everyone and had a special gift of making each person feel truly special. She was a talented seamstress who created all of her own clothing, including couture quality dresses. She also made gorgeous wedding dresses and First Communion dresses, fabulous Halloween costumes and lovely outfits for her family. She loved art and music and found beauty in all things great and small.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Jorge E. Paez.
Raquel is survived by her six children, Jorge (Patrice) Paez, Raquel (Charles) Flood, Carlos Paez, Jacqueline (James) Goldman, Edward (Dusty) Paez, Catherine (Winfried) Saenger; her 13 grandchildren; her seven great-grandchildren; and her siblings, Gladys Montoya and Tomas (Maria Elena) Perez.
A funeral Mass was said Oct. 2 at St. John of the Cross Church in Western Springs.
Interment was at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Hillside.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made online to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra CSOA Annual Fund at https://cso.org/support/Make-a-Gift/.
Sullivan Funeral Home in Hinsdale handled the arrangements.
