1929
Ofelia
2024
Ofelia Symmonds
September 28, 1929 — December 23, 2024
Ofelia Symmonds, 95, of Bloomingdale, IL, (formerly of Naples, FL) passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family on December 23, 2024 Ofelia was born in Guantanamo, Cuba on September 28, 1929 to her parents, Anacleto and Rosalia Martinez; both of the Province of Zamora, Spain. She is the beloved mother of Cassie (Ogie) Dimitrov, Cindy (Matthew) Schranz and Jerry (Amber Rauth) Symmonds, Jr.; loving grandmother of Eric (Whitney), Cuyler, and Venetzia (Adam); cherished great-grandmother of Luci, Clay, Adam, Jr. and Evan; dear aunt of Javier, Maria, Monica, Lorena, Bette, Karen, John, Mike, Jo Lyn, Steve, Janice and Leslie. Ofelia was preceded in death by her parents, Anacleto and Rosalia Martinez, her sister Demetria “Cuca,” her brother Paulino (Conchita), her brother, Hilberto, her brother, Felipe, her nephew, Pedro, her Goddaughter/niece, Sally, and her nephew, Bobby.
Ofelia earned her Home Economics degree in Cuba and honed impeccable talents in needlecrafts. She studied Stenography at Stradford College, Danville, VA, and returned to Cuba to work as a Stenographer, providing English/Spanish translation and interpretation support to the U.S. Naval Commander at Guantanamo Bay. She met American Seaman, Jerry Symmonds, Sr., at the United States Naval Base, Guantanamo. They married in Cuba and settled in Aurora, Illinois in 1955.
A gifted homemaker, devoted mother and “Joy-bringer,” Ofie taught her children to sing and play guitar early on, fostering decades of harmonious family serenades. She later worked as a Bi-lingual Secretary/Stenographer at the Aurora Caterpillar plant through her retirement. After 33 challenging Chicago winters, our Songbird opened a new chapter in her beloved Naples, FL. Except for being away from her “Chickadees,” Naples was heaven-sent. Ofie loved experiencing nature at her Walden Oaks haven on the lake (sometimes from her rowboat); swimming, walking and collecting her treasured seashells at Horizon and Laudermilk beaches; attending church, enjoying her St. John’s Sunday brunch group, hosting her family on many blissful visits and enjoying all the beauty Naples had to offer (especially those glorious sunsets)!
Through a Christ-centered life, she was an active choir member of St. David’s Episcopal Church (Aurora) and later, at St. John’s Episcopal Church (Naples, FL). Most who knew Ofelia, knew how generously she shared her passion for music, her family, friends and her love and reverence for God. With her radiant smile, Ofie courageously battled Parkinson’s Disease for 36 years. She lovingly instilled her musical talents, steadfast faith and Good Samaritan’s heart, in her children; and our beautiful Songbird’s Legacy lives on….
A Celebration of Life will be held at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 500 Park Shore Drive, Naples, FL 34103, at 11:00AM (EST) on February 5, 2025. An Illinois Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ofelia’s name to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research at https://www.michaeljfox.org/ , or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at https://www.stjude.org/give/memorials-and-dedications/donation-in-honor-of-someone.html , or to St. John’s Episcopal Church, Naples, FL at https://stjohnsnaples.com/celebration-3/donate/ . For further information, please contact Countryside Funeral Home & Crematory, 630-289-7575.
Ofelia earned her Home Economics degree in Cuba and honed impeccable talents in needlecrafts. She studied Stenography at Stradford College, Danville, VA, and returned to Cuba to work as a Stenographer, providing English/Spanish translation and interpretation support to the U.S. Naval Commander at Guantanamo Bay. She met American Seaman, Jerry Symmonds, Sr., at the United States Naval Base, Guantanamo. They married in Cuba and settled in Aurora, Illinois in 1955.
A gifted homemaker, devoted mother and “Joy-bringer,” Ofie taught her children to sing and play guitar early on, fostering decades of harmonious family serenades. She later worked as a Bi-lingual Secretary/Stenographer at the Aurora Caterpillar plant through her retirement. After 33 challenging Chicago winters, our Songbird opened a new chapter in her beloved Naples, FL. Except for being away from her “Chickadees,” Naples was heaven-sent. Ofie loved experiencing nature at her Walden Oaks haven on the lake (sometimes from her rowboat); swimming, walking and collecting her treasured seashells at Horizon and Laudermilk beaches; attending church, enjoying her St. John’s Sunday brunch group, hosting her family on many blissful visits and enjoying all the beauty Naples had to offer (especially those glorious sunsets)!
Through a Christ-centered life, she was an active choir member of St. David’s Episcopal Church (Aurora) and later, at St. John’s Episcopal Church (Naples, FL). Most who knew Ofelia, knew how generously she shared her passion for music, her family, friends and her love and reverence for God. With her radiant smile, Ofie courageously battled Parkinson’s Disease for 36 years. She lovingly instilled her musical talents, steadfast faith and Good Samaritan’s heart, in her children; and our beautiful Songbird’s Legacy lives on….
A Celebration of Life will be held at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 500 Park Shore Drive, Naples, FL 34103, at 11:00AM (EST) on February 5, 2025. An Illinois Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ofelia’s name to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research at https://www.michaeljfox.org/ , or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at https://www.stjude.org/give/memorials-and-dedications/donation-in-honor-of-someone.html , or to St. John’s Episcopal Church, Naples, FL at https://stjohnsnaples.com/celebration-3/donate/ . For further information, please contact Countryside Funeral Home & Crematory, 630-289-7575.
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