Nilda (Rios) Vasquez

Nilda Vasquez, age 92, of Chicago, Illinois, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday morning, February 19, 2026.

Born on August 3, 1933 in Adjuntas, Puerto Rico the oldest child born to the union of Eladio and Carmen (Matias) Rios, Nilda came to Chicago in 1954 and remained a proud, lifelong resident of the city she made her home.

From humble beginnings, Nilda was the true definition of strength, independence, and ingenuity. She taught herself how to sew, bake, and even master carpentry. There was little she could not fix, build, or improve with her own two hands. Small in stature but mighty in spirit, she was truly a woman on a mission — equally comfortable choosing a fine perfume as she was picking up power tools.

When her oldest child was just 13 years old, Nilda became a single mother. From that point forward, she set aside dresses and chose denim jeans instead — practical, durable, and ready for work. She wore them as a symbol of determination, doing whatever was necessary to support and raise her children. She worked tirelessly, carrying both the weight and the pride of providing for her family on her own.

Her home and garden were her pride and joy. She poured her heart into every flower bed, every project, every carefully chosen detail. If she wasn’t tending to her backyard oasis, you could likely find her walking the aisles of Home Depot, Menards, TJ Maxx, Marshalls, or HomeGoods — dreaming, planning, and gathering treasures for her next project. She could spend hours imagining what she would create next.

Nilda enjoyed life in her own simple but spirited way. Each evening often ended with a small glass of brandy or cognac, neat — a tradition she fondly carried on from her aunt, who lived to a beautiful old age. Nilda believed in hard work, self-reliance, and savoring the small pleasures in life.

Her greatest tragedy was the passing of her beloved son, Bill Vasquez, who drowned at the age of 38 on June 20, 1997. The loss of her only son and her youngest child was a heartbreak from which she never truly recovered. She carried that sorrow quietly, loving him fiercely every day of her life.

She is survived by her loving daughters, Elsa Vasquez of Chicago and Edna Vazquez (Roger Bagett) of Marana, Arizona; her cherished grandson, Brian Vazquez of Chicago; her dear sister, Ermis Oneida Crespo of Berwyn; and many nieces and nephews who will remember her strength, determination, and unwavering spirit.

She was preceded in death by her son, Bill Vasquez; her four sisters; and one brother.

Visitation will be held Friday, February 27, 2026 from 11:30 AM until time of funeral service at 12:30 PM at SEGUIN & SYMONDS FUNERAL HOME, 858 Sheridan Road, Highwood, IL 60040. Deacon Michael Negron will officiate. Interment will follow at Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Hillside, Illinois.

Nilda will be remembered as a woman of resilience, creativity, and quiet power — a builder of homes, gardens, and lasting memories. Her legacy lives on in the strength she instilled in her family and in every life she touched.

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