Lydia Angelica Zavala

Service Details

Her funeral service will be held in the funeral home on Friday, August 16^th at 6:00 p.m. Pastor Samuel Peña will officiate. Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. until the time of the service.

Lydia Angélica Zavala passed away peacefully on August 3, 2024. She passed away at the age of 83 in her home in Racine, Wisconsin. Proud of her Puerto Rican heritage, Lydia was born in Humacao, Puerto Rico on October 1, 1940.   Preceded in death by her husband, Manual Zavala Vélez; son’s Abimael Zavala, David Zavala; Mother, Sara García Alamo; brother, Luis García (affectionately known as Uncle Cholo) and sister, Luz Teresa Santos.

Survived by five children: Moisés (Celerina) Zavala, Abigail Z. (Luis) Pérez, Ruth (Gabriel) Salinas, Daniel (Bridgette) Zavala and Noemi (Reggie) Zavala; two daughters-in-law: Diane (David) Zavala, and Ana (Abimael) Zavala.

Survived by 19 Grandchildren: Trista Zavala, David Jeremy Zavala, Moses Zavala, Eric Zavala, Jonathan Pérez, Joshua Pérez, Alex Zavala, Cassandra Vargas, Christian Zavala, Angelo Zavala, Gabriel Salinas, Carlos Salinas, Shani Salinas, Daniel Zavala Jr., Zachary Zavala, Sarah Zavala, Ariel Pinedo, Colvin Kuehnl, Reggie Hayes Jr.; 8 Great-grandchildren: Isaiah Zeitz, Jayden Zeitz, Jozlyn Zavala, Jeremiah Zavala, Colle Zavala, Santana Garcia, Jasmine Garcia and Enrique Salinas.

Lydia was born in Puerto Rico to Miguel Angel Ayuso and Sara García. She grew up in the humble house of many brothers and sisters. Her passion was to study to be a nurse one day, but at 19 years old she met Manual Zavala Vélez, and they married on May 7, 1960. From this marriage 8 children were born: David (passed away on January 14, 2023), Moisés, Sara (passed away a couple of days after birth) Abigail, Abimael (passed away January 3, 2022), Ruth, Daniel, and Noemi. Lydia and Manuel became pastors of Assembly of God Pentecostal Church while raising their children. They started as pastors in Kenosha, moved to Chicago years after, Waukegan and then Puerto Rico. As busy as they were, my mother took the time to care and nurtured us through life and guided us on how to grow in God’s word and serve the Lord. She had a blessed and anointed voice that God granted her with which she used to sing at church while ministering as a pastor’s wife. She also enjoyed singing while cleaning the house, ironing, or cooking at home. Old songs from many years ago were her favorite to listen to as she did chores or cooked. Years later, my father passed away on June 16, 1995, due to his diabetes and heart problems so my mother became a single parent and she learned how to survive as a widow and pay bills plus take care of us and herself. She loved cooking for the family. Her best dish was “Arroz con Gandules” (yellow rice with peas and sausage) which she made on many occasions for birthdays, thanksgiving, or Christmas. She was a heavy coffee drinker and had coffee with every meal (breakfast, lunch, and dinner). Chicken drumsticks were her favorite meat with Puerto Rican rice. She liked eating yogurt and drinking a warm cup of milk before she went to bed. Taking care of plants of different kinds were her hobby, and they were all over the house inside and out. She would talk to them like they were one of her other children. She also liked collecting figurines of ducks and angels as well as souvenirs from many states. Pictures of us, her grandkids and great grandchildren covered her walls, entertainment center and living room tables until there was no more space for more. She also collected from Taco Bell those old Taco Bell dogs that wobble their heads or say something foolish. Weird but true. Her hairstyle was the same and she never changed the way she combed her hair. Bobby pins kept her hairstyle together for many years even when she lost most of her hair as she aged. My mom liked wearing dresses with flowers in bright colors and her shoes always matched her purse and clothes. She loved a good sale and always looked for the clearance in the stores. Well, there were many of us so yes, clothes or shoes on clearance it was. She was happy with what little she had but kept humble and honored God above all things.

Unfortunately, arthritis, high blood pressure and dementia affected her body and she started to forget many important things. She could no longer do things she liked anymore but we were there for her as best we could. She might have forgotten places, names, and people, but she never forgot our names and who we were to her. Our mother was a wonderful and loving person. She cared for us for many years and helped take care of grandkids when we needed help; so, it was time for us to take care of her, which we did until the day she passed away because God called her home.

Our mother will be missed greatly but forever we will cherish her memories in our hearts and today we celebrate her life as she no longer suffers from the illness she had to endure. She is in a better place and has joined our brothers, dad and other family members who passed away years ago. Her body is rejuvenated, no more pain. I know that our mother is enjoying the presence of God and singing out to the Lord her favorite songs as she worships the King of Kings throughout eternity, Amen.

                                     “God holds you in his Arms today, but we have you in our hearts forever;                                     until we meet again, we love you, Mom.”