Zaida Muniz

Zaida Muniz, 73, passed away on Thursday, November 20th, 2025.

My wife Zaida, and I, grew up in the Lincoln Park area of Chicago's east side. She was beautiful. She had long jet black wavy hair, greenish blue eyes and alabaster skin. Yes, that's right, alabaster. I had never seen that, and I became mesmerized by her. We went to grade school, upper grade school, and high school together. We lived two doors apart from each other and you would think we would like each other and have a good friendship, but it was quite the opposite. We fought like cats and dogs and we challenged each other at every given opportunity. As time went on in our last year of high school, I approached Zaida and told her that she was being too resistive at my advances and that she was gonna marry me regardless. That didn't have the desired effect, and Zaida avoided me completely. I saw her only from a distance. Those two years were very difficult. God must've realized how much I was suffering and touched her heart. For one day, she came up to me and asked me if I would like to take her out. I smiled and said yes, and we started seeing each other on a regular basis and interacting like adults. Our relationship bloomed into lovers, which was good because I was hopelessly in love with her and I wanted her to marry me. She suggested that we live together first as a trial basis. It was all the rage then, however, I would have none of that, she had to marry me and that was that. I was concerned she may change her mind afterwards, and I couldn't risk that. After a couple weeks, she acquiesced. And we were married for 53 years.

We were blessed with two children. Our son, Adam and our daughter, Alexia. They attended Lincoln Junior High School and Prospect High School. Raising our son and daughter provided us with so much entertainment, watching them grow up and guiding them through their educational development. Zaida would help them study, make sure they were following the course outlines and become a student right along with them. She was careful and nurturing and ready to pitch in whenever they were having problems, and even quicker to support them when their belief in God was tested. Though we had been married for 53 years, my wife never stopped challenging me. It's what made me better. She was always questioning me and all around making a nuisance, of herself, but I loved her and loved her for it. In all my shortcomings and inaccuracies, she was capable of providing support minimizing my failings.

Zaida was a force of nature, made of strength, tenderness, and insight. Her love was unconditional, she lived more to serve for others than herself. Zaida was our biggest fan and toughest motivator. She celebrated our victories, as if they were her own. In her kitchen, she was a magician, turning simple ingredients into meals that described home. She would make separate meals for her family, while making sure the kids left Edwin the biggest portions. Zaida taught us to have faith in God, to look towards happiness, and always be loving even in the midst of our misunderstandings. She showed us that love is - in a well-timed hug or a favorite meal. Zaida, you are one of a kind. Your love, your laughter, and your spirit lives on in our hearts and memories.

Please view the following service schedule.

Visitation will be from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM on Monday, December 1st, 2025 at Matz Mt. Prospect Funeral Chapel on 410 E. Rand Rd., Mt. Prospect, Illinois 60056. Additional visitation time will be from 10:30 AM until 11:30 AM on Tuesday, December 2nd, 2025 at St. Emily Catholic Church, 1400 E. Central Rd. Mt. Prospect, Illinois 60056. The funeral mass will begin at 11:30 AM. Immediately following mass, a procession will lead to Maryhill Catholic Cemetery where the commital service will be conducted at the cemetery chapel. For further information, please call (847) 394-2336.