Maria Luisa Leal

On Monday March 29, 2021, María Luisa Leal, loving mother of four and grandmother of nine, passed away at the age of 81. 
María was born on August 22, 1939 in Villa de Santiago, Nuevo León, Mexico to Fidel Leal Gonzalez and Eduviges Rodriguez Sosa. On December 27, 1959, she married Mario Garza Rangel, then shortly after immigrated to Chicago. They raised four sons, Arturo Enrique, Horacio Angel, Mario Alberto, and Juan Javier.
María was a leader who served her community. In the 1990s, she helped build El Comedor Popular soup kitchen at St. Matthew Lutheran Church. As a master in the kitchen, María dedicated over 30 years of her life to feeding the underserved population in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood. María also served as the Director of Community Services. She organized bi-weekly meals serving about 1,200 hot meals a week to those in need. Whether serving food at El Comedor Popular or in her home. María always served delicious meals — everyone would leave with bellies full and happy hearts. María also had a passion for gardening. She tended her home garden which filled with an abundance of fruits, vegetables, and beautifully fragrant flowers.
María was preceded in death by her father, Fidel Leal Gonzalez, her mother, Eduviges Rodriguez Sosa, her former husband, Mario Garza Rangel, and her grandson, Arturo Jr. She is survived by her sons, Arturo, Horacio, Mario, and Juan, her grandchildren, Reynaldo, Susana, Kyara, Stephanie, Doriana, Samantha, Sabrina, Christopher and Gabriela, and great grandchildren, Mia, Emilio, Leah, Lucas, and Olivia. 
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, only 50 people will be allowed at a time inside the funeral home. We respectfully ask to please be mindful of your time to ensure everyone has the opportunity to pay their respects. To further ensure everyone’s safety, all visitors are required to wear a face covering and socially distance.”

 

THE CURRENT LOCAL AND STATE HEALTH GUIDELINES DURING THIS TIME OF COVID-19 THE VISITATION AND SERVICES ARE LIMITED TO 50 PEOPLE AT ANY TIME.  ALL VISITORS ENTERING THE FUNERAL HOME ARE REQUIRED TO WEAR A FACE COVERING. DUE TO THE NUMBER OF POEPLE WHO WOULD LIKE TO PAY THEIR RESPECTS, WE ASK THAT YOU MAKE  YOUR VISIT A BRIEF ONE IN ORDER TO ALLOW ALL WHO WOULD LIKE TO ATTEND A CHANCE TO DO SO. 

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