Luz Maria Davila de Prieto

Luz Maria Davila de Prieto passed away peacefully in her home, surrounded by family. She was born in Mexico City, Mexico in 1924. Luz Maria was courted by and married the late Jorge Prieto, MD in 1949. Jorge knew he had married the most wonderful and beautiful woman in the world. She joined him to do his year of medical service in the little village of San Martin, Zacatecas, after which they moved to Chicago, IL. There they served the poor and immigrant communities together for many decades. Luz Maria raised 9 children with incredible love and patience. She truly enjoyed and had fun with her kids, and her grandchildren, teaching them numbers and letters, but also and foremost, the importance of faith, love and justice. In Luz Maria’s home, there was always room for another guest, or several, be they stopping in for a meal, a cafecito or conversation, or even a place to land for a few days or weeks. Her quiet acts of kindness touched all who knew her, whether she was volunteering at her children’s schools, serving as a gracious host in her home, or joining her husband on house calls and bringing along a home-cooked meal to a family in need. She also showed by example how to be a good steward of our environment, wasting nothing, whether it was a garment or leftover food. She was certainly one of the original recyclers. Luz Maria and Jorge were warriors for social justice. Luz Maria believed and showed by her example that all of God's children deserve love and respect. They were active in their church, and held it to a high standard when some its leaders did not understand the importance of racial justice. They were active in the Catholic Interracial Council, the Illinois Migrant Council, and Luz was a founder of the Evanston LatinoAmerican Association. Luz and Jorge were staunch supporters of Cesar Chavez and the United Farm Workers. When the UFW sent young staff and volunteers throughout the country to build support, they found a home in the Prieto household. Luz and her children frequently joined them on the picket line. She is survived by her siblings Emma, Graciela, and Rafael Davila; by her nine children: Luz Maria (Luis W., D.), Jorge (Paula F.), Carmen (Sam G.), Francisco Javier ( Yolanda V.), Antonio M. (Cecilia Q.), Carlos (Linda L.), Miguel J., Margarita (Mark M.) and Lupe (René S.), along with 14 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren, and countless beloved cousins, nieces and nephews. True to her name, Luz Maria was a bright shining light to us all. Visitation Saturday, January 27, 12:30pm (1:30 mass), at St. Nicholas/St. John XXIII Parish, 806 Ridge Ave, Evanston, IL 60202. Livestream available: https://youtube.com/live/iOeW-vnQ4DQ?feature=share In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation to the Dolores Huerta Foundation https://www.doloreshuerta.org/, the UFW Foundation https://www.ufwfoundation.org/, or a charity of your choice. Charities supporting immigrants and refugees would be especially meaningful to Luz Maria and her family. Arrangements by Inclusive Funeral Care, 773-370-2959 or www.InclusiveFuneralCare.com.

Luz Maria Davila de Prieto

November 23, 1924 - December 25, 2023