Maria Carmen Cahue, 82, passed away peacefully on December 8^th, 2023 surrounded by her loved ones. Dear wife of the late Pablo; loving mother of Nora (late James), Paul (Veronica), Claudia, Javier (Janet). Beloved grandmother of Jimmy, Christian, Michael “Mikey”, George, Javier, Aliza, and Anabelle; cherished daughter of the late Bernardo and Casilda Lopez; caring sister to Socorro, Antonio and the late Juan Manuel, Rosa, Maria Josefina, and Ramon; her loving nieces Gina, Sandy, Jessica and nephew Jesse and many other nieces, nephews, and friends.

Carmen was born in Mexico on April 22, 1941, in Gomez Palacio, Durango, and from a young age, she displayed a remarkable talent for sewing. In her early life she helped raise her younger siblings by supporting them in their education through her hard labor as a seamstress. In pursuit of her dreams, she later immigrated to the United States at the age of thirty- one and founded a successful bridal business, Modas Claudia/Claudia’s Bridal shop in the Little Village community of Chicago. Carmen’s entrepreneurial spirit was instilled in her by her parents who were business owners in Mexico.

In retirement Carmen’s treasured activity was to spend time with her grandchildren by showering them with love and affection. Carmen was also an avid reader who enjoyed reading novels on her kindle through the later stage of her life in the company of her loving caregiver Tammy.  Carmen was generous and touched the lives of many. While in good health Carmen traveled regularly to her beloved native land to visit her siblings and large extended family where she was a godmother to many. She enjoyed many family vacations throughout the years with her children and nieces.

Carmen was adored and loved dearly by her large family, business colleagues and friends. Carmen was a loving mother, and served as the matriarch, surrogate mother and grandmother to all members of her extended family. Family was most important to her. She instilled in her family and loved ones the great values of hard work, perseverance, and the importance of embracing one’s values and traditions. Her legacy lives on as a tapestry of love in the family she nurtured and created as much as the love and attention to detail she poured into every piece that she stitched across more than seven decades.

Carmen Cahue’s departure leaves us with a profound sadness however knowing that she is peacefully at rest helps bring us comfort and fills a void in our hearts.

Visitation 7:45 am until time of chapel prayers, 9:15 am on Thursday, December 14^th at Hallowell & James Funeral Home, 1025 W. 55^th St., Countryside. Procession will follow to a 10 am Funeral Mass at St. Cletus Parish, 600 W. 55^th St., LaGrange. Burial will follow at Queen of Heaven Cemetery, 1400 S. Wolf, Hillside. Funeral information: 708-352-6500