Obituary of Victoria Ponce

Victoria Ponce, age 73, a lifelong resident of Blue Island, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, surrounded by the love of her Children.

Victoria was the devoted wife of the late Oscar Loya. She was the cherished mother of Nancy (Efrain) Sanchez, Oscar Loya, Egwin Loya, Robert Loya, and Rogelio Loya. She was the loving grandmother of Vanessa Brown, Joshua Brown, Brianna Flores, Ethan Loya, the late Alyssa Isabella Loya, and Logan Loya; and the proud great-grandmother of Leilanni and Giovanna. Victoria is also lovingly remembered as the dear sister of the late Urbano, Concepcion, Arturo, Jesus, Julio, Isabel, Enrique, Barbara, Clementina, and Javier Ponce. She was a treasured aunt to many nieces and nephews and a second mother and caregiver to countless others whose lives she touched.

Born on December 23, 1951, in Mexico City, Mexico, to the late Augustin Ponce Osnaya and the late Clementina Urbieta Lazo, Victoria built a life grounded in love, service, and deep faith. A devoted parishioner of St. Mary Magdalene Parish (formerly St. Benedict Church), she was an active member of the Círculo de Oración, where she found strength in prayer and fellowship. Her faith was not just something she spoke about—it was something she lived every day, through acts of kindness, quiet service, and an open heart.

Whether she was offering support to those in need, or simply listening with compassion, Victoria made others feel seen and cared for. Her kitchen was the heart of her home, where traditions were kept alive and every meal was a labor of love. She also found great peace in her garden, nurturing it with the same care and patience she gave to those around her.

Among her most cherished spiritual experiences was a pilgrimage to Jerusalem with her daughter Nancy and friends, where she walked in the footsteps of St. Paul—an expression of the deep devotion that guided her life.

Victoria’s warmth, humility, and unwavering faith left a lasting impact on everyone she met. Her legacy lives on in the lives of her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, extended family, and the many others she nurtured along the way.

Visitation will be held on Monday, May 19, 2025, from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Krueger Funeral Home, 13050 Greenwood Avenue, Blue Island. Chapel prayers will begin Tuesday at 9:45 AM at the funeral home, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 AM at St. Benedict Church/St. Mary Magdalene Parish, 2339 York Street, Blue Island. Interment will follow at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Alsip, IL.

The family requests that if you have any special memories or photos of Victoria, upload them using the following link:  https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1-1_iqXt8TEn5QBAaLupKOs4sYY1CEqAF.