Louise P. Moreno

Louise Parra Moreno (nee Mendoza), 91, of Tinley Park, Illinois, passed away peacefully December 1, 2024. Born Luisa Parra Mendoza in Chicago, Louise graduated from Immaculata High School and went straight to work downtown as a Dictaphone transcriptionist, a career she held for over two decades at several corporations including Brunswick Corporation and Vienna Beef. Louise married her beloved boyfriend Paul in a civil ceremony in the mid-1950’s, after he enlisted in the U.S. Army. She summoned all of her courage to fly alone to Europe once her new husband secured military housing in a suburb of Frankfurt, Germany. A lovely neighbor lady helped Louise learn functional German and also how to navigate her new life. Louise told her family that she was often looked upon as exotic in her new home. The couple returned to the U.S. after his service duty and settled in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood to start their family. In 1972, Paul earned his Associate’s Degree and retired from his mailman career to start Moreno Construction Company, with Louise as his administrative partner and officer. Together they broke barriers, becoming the first Hispanic general contractor to build a Chicago Public Library (the Rudy Lozano Public Library in Pilsen). Over the years the family moved from Lincoln Park to Buena Park to Albany Park to Peterson Park to Lincolnwood. Louise encouraged her children to become independent adults. The Morenos enjoyed vacations at Disneyland and Disneyworld and visiting family in California. In retirement, the Morenos traveled to Paris, Italy, and back to Germany where they visited old friends, including that helpful neighbor. They also owned the Grand Palace Bowl and Banquet Hall in Cicero, which Louise continued to run after the death of her husband in 2004. Beloved wife of the late H. Paul Moreno (born Hipolito Paul Martinez Moreno). Devoted mother of Monica Louise (Peter) Pirih, Michael Paul (Peggy) Moreno, and Michele Marie (Alex Sokoloff) Moreno. Loving grandmother of Jennifer (Luis) Juarez, Steven (Shannon) Pirih, Marisa Moreno, Kristen Moreno, and Anton Sokoloff. Great-grandmother of Nathaniel Juarez. Dear sister of Juanita “Jennie” Mendoza and the late Ignacia, Raymundo “Ray”, Tomasina “Tommie”, Emeterio “Teddy”, Gerardo “Jerry”, Martina “Marty”, Russell, and Elvira “Vera”. Daughter of the late Narcizo and Macedonia (nee Parra) Mendoza. Visitation Friday, December 6, 3-8pm (prayer service and eulogies 7pm) at Palos Gaidas Funeral Home, 11028 SW Hwy, Palos Hills, IL 60465. Burial Saturday, December 7, 11am, Irving Park Cemetery, 7777 Irving Park Rd. Chicago, 60634. Please note that the visitation and celebration of life with prayers and eulogies will occur Friday evening in Palos Hills (South Side). Burial will occur Saturday day at Irving Park Cemetery (North Side). Please meet inside the front gate of the cemetery by 10:45am, for procession to graveside. Floral expressions of sympathy are welcome, or please donate to your favorite charity in Louise's name. Arrangements by Inclusive Funeral Care, 773-370-2959or www.InclusiveFuneralCare.com.