Socorro Zambrano Cortes

1927 - 2023

Socorro Zambrano (Santarromana) Cortes, age 95, of Paw Paw, Michigan, passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, February 21, 2023. Socorro, fondly known as "Cory" was born in Manila, Philippines, on September 17, 1927, the youngest daughter of the late Juan and Concepcion (Santarromana) Zambrano. She grew up in an environment of commerce and family, working as a seamstress at her mother's dress shop and helping to raise her younger brothers. As a teenager, the family fled their home to survive the Japanese occupation. In 1949, she graduated from Far Eastern University in Manila with the degree of Bachelor of Science in Commerce. After college, she worked as an accountant for Colgate/Palmolive where she met the love of her life, Hospicio "HC" Cortes, whom she married on December 14, 1958. Cory and HC moved their family of 5 children to the United States in 1969, without any guarantee of employment. Cory found employment in Chicago as a bank employee and bookkeeper at companies such as the Orange Crush/Hires Root Beer International. In 1974, the family moved to the Kalamazoo area where Cory was employed as an accountant at a law firm and then the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts. In the early 1980's, Cory started her own accounting business and attracted an impressive client list. She passed the Michigan certified auditor exam in 1989 and never formally retired. In 2000, Cory and HC built their dream home "Villa Socorro" on Eagle Lake in Paw Paw for generations of family to enjoy. Cory was a former member of St. Mary Catholic Churches in Kalamazoo and Paw Paw. She attended mass at St. Augustine Cathedral in Kalamazoo until the end of her life. Cory will be fondly remembered for her infectious smile, love of reading and warmth towards anyone she encountered. She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She leaves to cherish her memory four children, Joseph Z. Cortes, Cynthia Cortes (Blake) Dilsworth, Edward Z. (Marcy) Cortes, and Ronald Z. Cortes; eight grandchildren, Cecelia, Casey, Allyson, Andrew Robert, Robert Cody, Carson Cortes, Audrey, and Jackson; one sister, Patria Zambrano Torres, and 3 brothers, Jesus Joaquin, Benjamin Joaquin and Rodolfo Joaquin. She was recently preceded in death by her husband Hospicio Cortes in October 2022; one son, Robert Z. Cortes in 1978; and two brothers, Juanito Zambrano and Alfredo Zambrano. A gathering will take place, beginning at 5:30 p.m., on Friday, March 3, 2023 at Langeland Family Funeral Homes Burial and Cremation Services, 3926 S 9th St, Kalamazoo, MI 49009, where a Rosary Service will be held at 6 p.m. A funeral Mass will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 4, 2023, with the opportunity for visitation at 10:00 a.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church, 939 Charlotte Ave., Kalamazoo, MI 49048. Rev. Fr. Robert Creagan will officiate the Mass, with a graveside service to follow in Mt. Olivet Catholic Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be given to the Robert Z. Cortes Memorial Fund. Please visit https://www.langelands.com to view the online obituary, sign the guest book, and leave condolences for the family.