CHICAGO (WLS) — A Pilsen homeowner has been turning her home into an honorary display for Dia de los Muertos for the last five years.
Over the last 10 days, people have been coming to Isabel’s home on 19th Street to check out the photos and honor their loved ones, bringing everyone together for a day that means so much to this community.
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Isabel wanted to find a way to bring people together to honor the lives lost over the years, with many of them represented on the display. She gathered photos from people on social media and people living nearby, allowing everyone to come and pay their respects.
“It’s really beautiful; just a way to remember our loved ones. We’ve lost some of our family in the last couple years. So, it’s nice to take a moment to honor them,” said Maria Rosales.
People have been coming by from all across the Chicagoland area. A mother and her son came by on Sunday night from Auburn Gresham, as they say this is a powerful display of faith that brings Chicagoans together.
“We lost, I think, in total, about four loved ones in this year. So, it’s been an incredible year of loss, but I’m glad we have these beautiful treasures inside to keep those memories of those who have gone before us and continue to celebrate life,” that mother said.
This display also hits close to home for one man who actually lived in this same building 25 years ago.
Ponch and Isabel were neighbors before, and on Sunday, they reunited. It was a moment that meant even more to him as the photo of his mother sat on the display.
“I look at my parents’ house, and that brings tears, because both of my parents just passed recently, and they have a picture of my mom up there,” Ponch said.
Sunday marks end of the display. Remarkably, Isabel says she does this all on her own without any help. So, if you live near Pilsen, come on by and help her take down these decorations. She says she is now going to get ready for Christmas as soon as possible.
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