Delapaz C. Hinog

Delapaz "Lola" Cortes Hinog, age 97, of Chicago, Illinois, passed away peacefully on November 5, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.
Born on January 24, 1928, in Tabid, Ozamiz City, Misamis Occidental, Philippines. Delapaz was the eldest of six children born to Jacinto Cortes and Gerodina Mendez (Ortiz) Cortes. From an early age, she displayed remarkable strength, faith, and resilience. She attended school only through the 5th grade, but life's experiences became her greatest teacher. At age 13, during World War II, Delapaz survived the Japanese Occupation by hiding in the jungle with her family. The occupation was marked by brutality, fear, and survival. This was an intense time where children were either kidnapped, enslaved or murdered. By God's grace, she was spared from captivity. That harrowing season of hiding in the jungle planted a deep and lasting seed of courage within her. The experience ignited a fierce determination to rise above hardship and build a better life not just for herself, but for generations to come. On August 26, 1946, she married Bertoldo Hinog and they had fourteen children together. At a young age, Delapaz took one fish and turned it into a thriving set of businesses. She became a highly respected and successful entrepreneur, operating multiple ventures including a shrimp import/export business, a bicycle company, coconut and rice fields, piggeries, and more. Her leadership, discipline, and business acumen earned her the respect of her community. She was a force to be reckoned with.
In 1976, she immigrated to America, leaving behind her businesses and wealth in the Philippines to embrace a new chapter devoted to her children and family. In the United States, her role shifted. Though she left her businesses behind, her greatest investment was in the generations she nurtured. She poured her heart into serving, guiding and supporting her family. She deeply loved her children and grandchildren, and even raised some of her grandchildren as her own. She was known for her warmth, sharp humor and storytelling. She loved being surrounded by her family, sharing memories, laughing and simply being together. Delapaz (Lola) was truly the heart and soul of the Hinog family. Her legacy is one of faith, strength, sacrifice, and unconditional love.
She will be dearly missed, but her memory will remain alive through every life she shaped and inspired. She is preceded in death by her parents Jacinto and Gerodina Cortes, her brothers Simeon Cortes, Anselmo Cortes, and Bating Cortes, her ex-husband Bertoldo Hinog, her daughters Lourdes Bechayda, Lilian King, Marilyn Alajjo, Victoria Engracia and her son Edgar Hinog. She is survived by her sisters Elsa Alcasid and Milagros Montalaba; Her children Milagros (Mario) Pabatao, Roberto (Genera) Hinog, Paz (Rodolfo) Besana, Teresita Hinog, Virginia Danguilan, Reynaldo (Beth Ann) Hinog, Ruel (Nori) Hinog, Rosemarie Hinog (Alan Gallego) and Vicente (Noradie) Hinog; as well as a large and loving host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren who will continue to carry her love and legacy forward. Rest now in the presence of Jesus, where joy is eternal, and the work of your hands continues through those who love you. We love you and we will see each other again.
Prayers for Delapaz will be held on Wednesday, November 12th, 9:15 am from Casey & Rios Funeral Home 4540 West Diversey Ave., Chicago, IL 60639 proceeding to St. Hyacinth Basilica for Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM. Interment Mount Olive. Visitation will begin on Tuesday, November 11th, from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm. For information please call the funeral at 773-777-6300 or www.caseyandriosfh.com
"Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful servants."
Psalm 116:14