Maria Jessica "Chuy" Antusis

Maria Jessica "Chuy" Antusis, age 96, of LaGrange, IL, passed away on August 22, 2025. Beloved wife of the late Alex Antusis; loving mother of the late Greg Carranza and Caryn (Christopher Hepplewhite) Carranza; proud grandmother of Kevin, Lauren (fiancé Collin Smothers), and Megan Roberts; dear sister of the late Eulogia Velasquez, Brigido (Beatrice) Hidalgo, Roman (Constance) Hidalgo, Louise (Angelo) DeSoto, Jennie (Joe) Guillen, Ylde (Salvador) Delgado, and Arnie (Toni) Hidalgo; loving aunt, cousin, and friend of many.
Maria's parents moved from Guanajuato, Mexico, to the United States after her father was offered a job with the Santa Fe railroad. She was born in Topeka, KS, on September 18, 1928.
As the second youngest of eight children, Maria knew how to live her life undetected for the most part-skipping school, spending bus money on pastries, taking a 5-year-old Caryn to the Beatles concert at Comiskey Park, and clandestinely recording it.
Maria dreamed of moving to Chicago and fulfilled that dream at age 18, when she found a job working as a typist for an insurance company in downtown Chicago.
She will be remembered for her energy, humor, and love of family. She enjoyed card games, dancing, playing the piano, and writing and performing her own songs.
Maria had a beautiful and warm outlook on life and was always willing to help people and animals in need. Dogs, cats, horses, chickens, pigs, and goats often lived on her properties-and she lovingly called them family.
Visitation will be from 4:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Friday, September 5, at Hallowell & James Funeral Home, 1025 W. 55th St., Countryside. A Funeral Service will be held at the funeral home on Saturday, September 6, at 10:00 a.m. Family and friends will meet at Skyline Memorial Park at 11:30 a.m. following the Funeral Service.
In lieu of flowers, we kindly ask that donations be made in Maria's honor to PAWS Chicago or Missouri German Shepherd Rescue.
Funeral information: (708) 352-6500