Margarita

When I used to hear the word “margarita,” I’d instantly think of a delicious tequila-filled frozen drink. Now when I hear that word, I think of the incredibly sweet lady who I have yet to meet; but she has won me over with her twinkling eyes and warm smile, and I bet she will win you over also. Don’t get me wrong...I still think of those delicious frozen cocktails, but now I think about having a margarita with Margarita!

Margarita Illescas was born on June 10, 1928 in Guatemala. As a child, one of her favorite things to do was to climb trees, which she was very good at. The problem was she couldn’t get down and would always get stuck in them, which drove her family crazy. When she was 14, she started working at her aunt’s grocery store where she met Ricardo, the man who would later become her husband for 54 wonderful years before he passed away. Together they had five children, Yolanda, Rudy, Alba, Edgar, and Merly; and today at almost 92 years old, she has 9 grandkids, 13 great grandkids, and 1 great great grandkid.

Margarita first came to America to help her daughters raise their kids, and in 1996 she became a US citizen because it was something that was very important to her, and it’s something she is very proud of to this day.

Her granddaughter, Krystle “Cookie” Escobar Moreno says you can’t help but love her Abue, which is what the family lovingly calls her. One of Margarita’s favorite things to do is to go on long drives with the family to Lake Geneva or Holy Hill in Wisconsin always ending in ice cream stops on the way home! She currently keeps herself busy these days with sewing, crafts, puzzles and word searches.

Margarita also loves looking at older cars and reminiscing of a time long ago. Her granddaughter says that whenever they go on road trips, her Abue always points out older cars on the road with a big smile on her face. Her very favorite car is the ‘30s Ford that is in the picture because it reminds her of her beloved Ricardo, who used to own one in Navy blue.

I’m sure you’re wondering why I’m telling you about Margarita. It’s simple. I have been asked by her family to set up a birthday parade for her because they love her and want to surprise her. The only problem is most of her family lives out of state or in Guatemala, so her parade is going to be very small.

That’s why I’m reaching out to you, the Community, to ask you to get in your cars on June 10th and head to the Columbus Manor Park at 99th and Moody at 12:50 to celebrate Margarita’s 92nd Birthday! It’s okay if you don’t know her. You can still come out and honk the day away for this incredible lady.