Obituary of Leonor L. Arceo

Leonor L. Arceo, 86, of Long Grove, IL passed away peacefully on February 26, 2022. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 30 years, Romeo. She is the loving mother of Ariel (Glenda), Sr. Angeline, OSB, Arnel, Artur (Carolyn), and Aries (Patricia) and doting grandmother to Andrew, Cymone, and Ryan. She is survived by her brothers Romeo (Normita) Lampa and Diosdado (Caridad) Lampa, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Leonor was an active member of the church community, both in the Philippines and in the US. She and her late husband were active members of the newly-established Good Shepherd Parish in Fairview, Quezon City. They were also heavily-involved with the Christian Family Movement (CFM), going on to build an extended adopted family of like-minded couples and families they met through the group. She continued her involvement with CFM through their Solo Parent initiative after her husband’s death from cancer 30 years ago. A few years later, she moved to the Chicagoland area and became a rosary maker with St. Raymond de Penafort Parish in Mt. Prospect. Making the rosaries allowed her to be constantly prayerful; as she strung each bead, she would say a prayer and offer this for various intentions. Leonor valued family above everything else and gave up her career as an accountant after she had her fifth child to concentrate on being a fulltime wife and mother. She was always there for her family, running the household, yet finding time to know each of her children and attending to all their needs. Her nurturing spirit extended beyond her core family to include nieces, nephews, and neighborhood kids. Everyone, from a relative to a close friend and even strangers, was accorded the same hospitality. In her last two decades, she devoted herself to help raise her grandchildren, giving them the love and care only a grandmother can give. Leonor is fondly remembered by all for her warmth, sweet smile, boundless love, and great-tasting dishes. She loved to cook and everyone loved her cooking. Not only did she touch a lot of hearts, she filled-up a lot of stomachs! Close friends and relatives remember her inner-strength; going back to work after her husband’s untimely demise and raising her younger children even as she battled cancer herself. Her last days were spent peacefully with all her children and in-laws around her. A Celebration of Life service will be held at St. Raymond de Penafort Church in Mt. Prospect, on Saturday, March 19, from 10:00 to 11:00 am. The family will have a private funeral at a later date.