Maria de Lourdes Perez Caro, lovingly known as Lulu, passed away in Long Grove, Illinois, on September 11, 2026, at the age of 69. She was born on January 28, 1957, in Navojoa, Sonora, Mexico, and later made her home in Franklin Park, Illinois.

Lulu came to the United States from Mexico when she was 29 years old. Three years later, she became a mother to her son, Eduardo, whom she raised as a single parent. She worked hard to care for Eduardo and built her life around loving and providing for him.

Some of Eduardo’s earliest and most treasured memories are of the ways she made life feel special. Every year on his birthday, she baked him a cake and found a way to give him a small gift. These gestures may have seemed simple, but they reflected the thoughtfulness, devotion, and unconditional love that defined her as a mother.

More than anything, Lulu loved spending time with her family. She especially enjoyed cooking for her family and friends perfecting her pazole recipe, all flavors of tamales, and her sugar free pastries-coricochis. She will be most remembered for her love of celebrating Christmas and her adoration of decorating. These moments brought her happiness and created memories that her family will carry with them always.

Lulu is survived by her beloved son, Eduardo; her siblings, Gloria, Marco Antonio, Gilda, Ana Maria, Maria Luz, Fransico Javier, Rebecca, and Jose Luis; and many other family members and friends who loved her dearly.

She will be remembered for her strength, perseverance, and deep love for her family. To Eduardo, she was not only his mother—she was everything. Her love will continue to live on through Eduardo, her family, and everyone whose life she touched.