Esther V. Ochoa

Esther V. Ochoa age 90, passed away at Saint Joseph Hospital in Joliet, IL while surrounded by the loving members of her family on April 12, 2026. Esther was born the daughter of Melchor Varela and Margaret Varela (née Lozano) in Chicago, IL on May 23, 1935.

Esther was the strongest person we knew. She was giving and she was fierce. She sang in the church choir and always lit a candle for her mom and sons. She loved spoiling her family and wanted to help us experience all of the beautiful things in life. She loved God and she loved her family and friends. She retired from RR Donnelly as a Department Manager after decades of hard work, proving that not only did women belong in the world of business, but that she could and did excel beyond expectations. Her hometown of Chicago always held a special place in her heart, and like any good Chicagoan, she enjoyed partying and dancing, eating, and having a good time. Esther was raised an only child. Her father passed when she was a baby, so she learned how to be a strong, independent woman from her mother. She spent a lot of time with her Uncle Henry Lozano and Aunt Guadalupe’s children (both siblings of her mother), and eventually brought her own children and grandchildren to the place we call the “Cicero House”. She always brought her famous Mexican Rice at potluck parties, and always had a camera in her hands. She loved life and always lived loud and proud with no apologies. She loved her three children dearly, and when her two granddaughters were born, she reveled in her role as the matriarch of the family. She nearly burst with pride when she spoke of them, and even more so when her great grandchildren came along. She loved to travel the world and made friends everywhere she went. She was an avid collector of all things Mickey Mouse and Coca Cola (even though she always had an Iced Diet Pepsi in her hands). She leaves behind a hole in our lives that is far too large to fill, but also leaves behind a group of people who are far better off for having had the great pleasure of calling her Mom, Nanny, friend, and so much more.

She was preceded in death by her parents Melchor and Margaret; and her sons Daniel “Jethro” Perez and Drake A. Ochoa.

Esther is survived by her daughter Alice Perez; granddaughters Pilar (Efrain) Zavala and Angel Jackson; and great grandchildren Alex, Ava, Adan, Jeremiah, Amia, Liliana, Jacob, and Ariana. An abundance of extended family members, friends, and other loved ones, far too numerous to name individually, also survive. 

A Celebration of Life Visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 21, 2026 from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm with a 7:30 Chapel “Sharing of Memories” to conclude with the Praying of the Rosary at Tezak’s Home to Celebrate Life, 1211 Plainfield Rd. Joliet, IL 60435. All guests are invited to return to Tezak’s on the morning of Wednesday, April 22, 2026 at 9:00 am for Closing Prayers, after which we will travel in procession to the Queen of Apostles East Campus (Old Saint Patrick’s Church) at 710 W. Marion St. Joliet, IL for a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 11:00 am. Immediately following Mass, we will process to Esther’s final resting place at Mount Glenwood Memory Gardens West, 8301 S. Kean Ave. Willow Springs, IL for a Graveside Committal Service.