Lydia Esther De Jesus (nee Aponte), 88, of Norridge. Loving wife of the late Jose Manuel De Jesus; beloved mother of Nelly (Robert) Domasik of Chicago, Carmen (Nick) Fox of Hazel Crest, Joe (Paula) of Burlington, IA, Elizabeth De Jesus Toderick (Lee) of Washington, NC, and Steve (Melanie) of Virginia Beach, VA.; cherished grandmother of Alex, Lara, Essence, Billy, Nick, Joe, Michael, Eric, Camden, Brevin, Brycen, Bella and the late Robert; treasured great-grandmother of Shawn, Jordan, Jayden, Donovan, Khylah, Willow, Topanga, Lenell, Dashawn, Kaitlyn, Matthew, Alivia, Evan, Halina, Kasia and Desmond; dear sister of Julia Dones and the late Marcus, Felicidad, Epifanio, Antonio, Alicia, Ramon, Ismael and Maria De Los Angeles.

Born January 6, 1934 in San Lorenzo, Puerto Rico to her parents, the late Antonio Aponte and Santos Mojica. Lydia moved from Puerto Rico in her early twenties to Chicago until 1984 when she moved to Norridge and resided there for 38 years. A dedicated employee of Ram Golf Corporation in Melrose Park for more than 30 years, Lydia was described as a highly respected friend, loyal, trusted, an advocate for new employees and always willing to share her expertise.

Lydia valued education above all else. She worked hard and sacrificed so her children could attend private Catholic schools for their elementary and high school educations.

Nothing was more important to Lydia than her children and family. She looked forward to the annual family vacations and enjoyed traveling out of town to visit her children and grandchildren. She loved visiting Disney World, going out to dinner, dressing up adorned with beautiful jewelry and dancing to all types of music, especially merengue. Lydia adored her family and delighted in talking about all of their accomplishments. She always knew how everyone was doing, including her many nieces and nephews and their families. Family celebrations and holidays were her favorite and you could be sure there would always be a large caldero of her legendary Arroz con Gandules. She made so much there was always enough for everyone to take home leftovers.

Lydia enjoyed gardening and tending to her many indoor plants. She also had a large collection of family photos, figurines and mementos and as a lifelong, devoted Chicago Cubs fan that included an autographed baseball of her favorite player, Mr. Cub Ernie Banks. Lydia gave from the heart and was a long time charitable contributor to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Memorial contributions can be directed to www.stjude.org

Lydia was our matriarch and will be forever missed.

Visitation Thursday, 4pm - 9pm, Kolbus-John V. May Funeral Home, 6857 W. Higgins Ave., Chicago. Funeral prayers Friday, 9am, from the funeral home to St. Michael Catholic Church in Old Town, 1633 N. Cleveland Ave. for 10am Mass of Christian Burial. Interment Acacia Park Cemetery, 7800 W. Irving Park Road, Chicago.

For more information visit www.kolbusmayfh.com or call 773-774-3232