Maria Carlota Venegas Silva, 92, a longtime resident of Forest Park, died peacefully on Nov. 21, 2024. Born to Mercedes Venegas Marin and Jose Angel Sulpulveda Venegas in Santiago, Chile on March 13, 1932, she immigrated to the United States at age 27 with her former husband, Hernan.
A talented seamstress and tailor, she moved to Forest Park in 1966 and spent two decades as the head tailor at Krest Uniform on Madison Street. Over the years, she also welcomed countless customers into her home for fittings and alterations. She prided herself on each hem, stitch, and bustle that went into making each wedding dress, prom suit, and outfit.
A dedicated member of Club Chileno de Chicago for many years, she befriended and helped many new immigrants make a home in her adopted country. She enjoyed traveling the world with friends, spoiling her grandchildren, and housing any animal who needed a home.
Maria was the mother of the late George Silva and is survived by her daughters, Nancy Silva and Marjorie Zilligen; her sister, Lucrecia; and her grandchildren, Alexandra, Sean (Ira), Mallory, Robert, Courtney, Stephanie, and Rachel; and she was the aunt of many.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 26 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Zimmerman-Harnett Funeral Home, 7319 W. Madison St., Forest Park. Family and friends are asked to meet at church at 9:45 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 27, where a funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Bernardine’s Church at 10 a.m., followed by interment at Queen of Heaven Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family appreciates donations to the Salvation Army of Chicago, which sponsored the visa that brought Maria to the United States.