Josephine Moreno

Josephine Moreno (née Origel) age 99, passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 23, 2023, at her residence surrounded by her loving family. She was a long-time resident of Calumet City, IL and had lived in Lockport, IL for the past two years.

Josephine was born in Mexico and moved to the United States when she was very young. She and her family worked hard, first as migrant workers and then as farmers when they proudly achieved the American Dream, becoming citizens and purchasing a farm together in Dundee, Michigan.

Although she started school in America not speaking any English, she learned quickly and soon excelled in her studies. She was an avid reader from a young age and could often be found with a book. She also had a knack for music in her youth, playing the Hawaiian guitar in jam sessions with her sister Telesfora on the accordion.

During WWII she was a Rosie the Riveter, building B24's at the Willow run bomber plant. After her marriage, Josephine began her lifelong career in healthcare, first as a nurse's aide and then through further education, as a nurse.

Josephine was a parishioner at St. Andrews Church in Calumet City and was very strong in her Catholic faith, praying the rosary and other prayers daily. Her special devotion was to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Our Lady of Guadalupe. Josephine was also very devoted to her family, who were her whole world. She cherished spending time with her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Juan Moreno; her parents, Julian and Epigmenia (née Gonzalez) Origel; four infant siblings - Gregoria, Sara, Natividad, and Ponciano; four brothers, Hilario (Agustina) Origel, Domingo (Tomasa) Origel, Jose (Magdalena) Origel, and Luciano Origel; four sisters, Mary Guadalupe "Lupe" Origel, Juana Origel, Refugio "Cuca" (Jesus) Perez, and Telesfora (Gregorio) Perez; her little angels in heaven, granddaughter Elizabeth Moreno and great-great-granddaughter Marianna Ramos Hernandez; a niece, Eloisa (née Perez) Brockman; and son-in-law Frank Arias.

She is survived by her two loving children, Arthur "Art" (Socorro) Moreno and Christina Colella; and her treasured grandchildren, Michael Rubio, Angeline (Leticia Ramirez) Colella, Anthony (Jenny) Colella, and Kenneth (Sherry) Moreno. Numerous adored great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nephews, nieces, and other cherished family members also survive.

Visitation will be held at Hickey Memorial Chapel 4201 W. 147 ^th St., Midlothian, IL 60445 on Tuesday, February 28, 2023, from 4:00pm until 8:00pm. Prayers will be held at Hickey Memorial Chapel on Wednesday, March 1, 2023 at 9:00am, then proceeding to St. Andrew the Apostle Church (Jesus Shepherd of Souls Parish), Calumet City, IL for Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00am. Following Mass, Interment will be at Holy Cross Cemetery, Calumet City where she will be laid to rest next to her beloved husband, Juan.

Arrangements under the care and direction of O'Neil Funeral Home, Lockport, IL 60441

For information, please call 815-838-5010