Maria Isabel Palomino

Maria Isabel (“Yeya" or “Chabela") Castellanos Palomino, age 94, passed away peacefully on July 23, 2025, in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. Born on November 6, 1930, in Capilla de Guadalupe, Jalisco, Mexico, she lived a long and vibrant life marked by love, faith, creativity, and resilience. She embodied a humble spirit, —quiet in grace, but unwavering in resolve.

Maria Isabel’s legacy lives on through those who knew and loved her deeply. She is survived by her daughters: Maria Palomino-Urbano (Robert Urbano), Ana Palomino (Gerard Mendoza), Rosa Linda Palomino (David Keller), and Isabel Palomino (Enrique Gonzalez); her seven grandchildren: Nicholas Mendoza (Kate Moss), Cristina Keller-Mavis (Mert Mavis), Erika Gonzalez (Juan Armenta), Danielle Keller-Reichmann (Ryan Reichmann), Analyce Gonzalez-Troglia (Robert Troglia), Andrew Mendoza, Isabella Gonzalez & her great-grandson Jesse David Reichmann. She also leaves behind a host of nieces and nephews & her beloved sister Maria Del Refugio Castellanos C. She now joins in eternal rest with her loving husband Jesse (Jesus) Palomino; her sister Ana Maria Castellanos de Sanchez, her brothers David Castellanos & Miguel Castellanos, and parents Manuel & Maria Tomasa Castellanos.

Raised in a rural farming community, Maria Isabel’s early years were shaped by simplicity and hard work—values that remained central to her character throughout her life. Her life included riding horses and embracing all the responsibilities that came with rural living. In the evenings, after the day’s chores were done, she fondly recalled how the women would gather to work on knitting, or embroidery, sharing a cup of hot chocolate—a time for quiet companionship.

M. Isabel met her future husband, Jesse (Jesus) Palomino, while working at a shop in a nearby town, during one of his visits from Chicago. She would often recall how he’d stop by frequently to buy gum, his visits a sweet expression of his growing affection for her. After marrying in Mexico, she made the courageous move to the United States, settling in the city of Chicago. M. Isabel transitioned from the quiet countryside of Jalisco to the brisk pace of Chicago life with grace & determination. She adapted to icy winters and a new language, growing fond of downtown, city parks, and the diverse cuisines—especially Chinese and Italian. Her warmth and quick wit helped her form lasting friendships that brought joy to her life.

She was a talented seamstress who earned income from her craft and cherished it as a beloved pastime. Her most treasured creations were the dresses she lovingly made for her granddaughters. Beyond sewing, she designed one home from the ground up and beautifully decorated another, filling both with warmth and gardens that reflected her love of nature.

M. Isabel was always active and attentive, making her home a warm sanctuary where visitors felt welcome and grandchildren enjoyed homemade sopita or protein shakes. So comforting was her house, it was lovingly called “The Napping House”—a place of peace and rest.

Her Roman Catholic faith was the cornerstone of her life. She prayed the Rosary daily and passed this devotion to her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchild. With her husband Jesse, she built a home grounded in Catholic values, where faith was deeply embraced by her family.

Maria Isabel will be remembered as a woman of immense strength, keen sense of humor, deep faith, and boundless love—a natural leader whose presence brought comfort and joy to all who knew her. May her memory continue to inspire those she touched throughout her remarkable life.

A Wake will be held from 04:00 PM to 07:00 PM on Sunday, August 3, 2025, at Heritage Funeral Chapel 6830 W. Thunderbird Rd., Peoria, AZ. A Catholic Mass will be celebrated to honor her memory at 11:00 am on Monday, August 4, at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, 3801 E. Greenway, Phoenix, AZ. A procession will take place from St. Joan of Arc Church to the place of interment at Holy Redeemer Catholic Cemetery, 23015 Cave Creek Rd., Phoenix, AZ.

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