Ercilia Betancourt

Ercilia (De La Cruz) Betancourt, adoring wife, loving mother, and wonderful grandmother
passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Monday, January 16, 2023, at the age of
74. She was born in Carlos Rojas, Matanzas, Cuba to Octavio De La Cruz y Nilda Rodriquez on
June 13, 1948, and grew up with 14 brothers and sisters.
She married the love of her life, Mauricio Betancourt, on November 13, 1971. In 1980, after
spending the first 10 years of their marriage in Cuba, she, her husband and their two children
traveled to Costa Rica, where they spent a year waiting to come to the United States. In 1981,
they finally started their new life in the United States.
Ercilia is survived by her husband, Mauricio, her children, Yamilka (Malek) Merza and Amaury
(Erica) Betancourt. Cherished grandmother (Abuela) to four grandchildren, Eric, Daniel, Natalie
and David. She is also survived by her siblings Emma, Nerto, Edilia, Alfredo, Eyda, Noel, Fidel,
Octavito, Estrella, Reniel, Barbaro and Barbara, as well as many nephews and nieces.
Ercilia was a kind devoted wife, mother, daughter, and sister who dedicated all her time to
family. Being a grandmother was her favorite thing in the world.
Her home was always open, welcoming all at any hour, making meals for many or always having
meals ready. She enjoyed cooking, playing dominos, 1,000+ puzzles, and decorating her home.
If and when she took a vacation, she would spend it visiting her family in Cuba.
Even in her weakest moments, she was concerned about others and would always find a reason
to laugh.
Ercilia was an exceptional wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend whom we will
greatly miss and love forever.
Visitation for Ercilia will be on Thursday, January 19, 2023, from 5:00 – 9:00 pm, and Friday,
January 20, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm, at Christian Funeral Home, 3100 W. Irving Park Rd., Chicago, IL
60618. Burial will be following the Friday visitation, at Rosehill Cemetery, 5800 Ravenswood
Avenue, Chicago, IL 60660.

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