Maria Luisa Velez

Maria Luisa Velez, née Roman, age 91, of Skokie, passed away peacefully on the morning of Friday, November 7, 2025. She was born in Cochabamba, Bolivia, in 1934, to Flora and Melchor Roman.
Beloved wife of Wilfredo; loving mother of Bryan (Elise) and Luis (Stephanie), and second mother to Freddy Jr.; adoring Abi to Jilliana and Samuel; cherished sister to the late Maria Palmira (Jose) Veizaga, the late Maria Bertha (Federico) Tejada, the late Maria Rosa (Jorge) Rivero, and the late Blanca (Carlos) Gonzalez; devoted Tia to the late German Veizaga, the late Martha Veizaga, Ruth Gomez and Juan Jose Veizaga; the late Maria Renee Chanove, Jorge Rivero, Marcia Niec, and Ana Maria Govindan; Raul Federico Tejada, and Marianela and Cynthia Gonzalez. She was also an affectionate great-Aunt to many nieces and nephews.
A devout Roman Catholic, dedicated to her faith, Maria Luisa was a longtime member of Ss. Peter & Lambert Catholic Parish in Skokie.
She was the first sibling to immigrate to Chicago in 1963 and established a home for others to follow. She became a cardiographic technician, who worked 25 years at Edgewater Hospital, followed by ten years at Evanston Hospital, before working at a private clinic prior to retirement.
She loved needlepoint, sewing, and gardening, often seen in her backyard tending to her flowers and her fruit trees from which she shared homemade applesauce and peach preserves. She adored caring for her family and was married to her treasured husband for almost 55 years. One of Maria Luisa's favorite roles was that of a doting grandmother. She treasured her time with her grandchildren and made sure to pass on her memories to them, particularly to her caring granddaughter Jilliana. Her sons, Bryan and Luis, though not close to her by physical distance, were closest to her heart. She never stopped praying for them and loving them until the moment she drew her last breath.
Visitation, Friday, November 14, 2025, from 9 a.m. until time of Prayers, 10:45 a.m., at HABEN Funeral Home & Crematory, 8057 Niles Center Rd., Skokie. Mass of Christian Burial, 11 a.m., at St. Peter Church of Ss. Peter & Lambert Catholic Parish, 8100 Niles Center Rd, Skokie.
Interment, All Saints Catholic Cemetery, 700 N. River Rd., Des Plaines.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association (alz.org).
Funeral info: 847.673.6111 or habenfuneral.com to leave a condolence message. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Maria, please visit our floral store.