Josefina Olivo

 March 20, 1925 - September 9, 2025

 With great sadness we announce the passing of Josefina Olivo who left us on   September 09, 2025 at the age of 100 in her beloved City of Chicago, Illinois.   Josefina was born on March 20, 1925 in Mexico City D.F. Mexico. She was the  oldest child of Mr. & Mrs. Jose and Gertrudis Sanchez. At an early age Josefina  worked as an assistant and apprentice at a beauty salon in downtown Mexico City.  On her daily bus trips to the salon she met, who was to be her husband and partner  in life, Pedro Olivo. Josefina and Pedro were married in 1944. The first years of  Josefina’s marriage were challenging ones. Pedro journeyed on and off to the  United States garnering employment to support Josefina and their ever growing  family. This left Josefina, as a single mom, to raise by 1948 three young children. At  the same time, Josefina was operating a small family-owned grocery store, Las  Quince Letras. This meant Josefina was working from sun up to sundown.   Josefina and her children joined Pedro in Chicago on Mexican Independence Day,  September 15 of 1951. There Josefina forged a family life with Pedro consisting of  working full time in minimum wage factory jobs while fulfilling the role of  housewife and mother. Josefina would find work at A.M. Steigerwald & Company,  a major label maker located in the warehouse area directly west of Chicago’s Loop.  Josefina worked at A.M. Steigerwald & Company for 23 years. Josefina’s tenure  was marked by the close and long time friendships she made with her co-workers.  It was here that Josefina’s co-workers introduced her to the art of baking. Josefina  quickly learned to bake cookies and cakes. She loved to make the annual Easter  lamb cake which her children and friends eagerly longed to receive.   In the late 1970s,  and until Pedro’s demise in 1985, Josefina could be found, after  the end of her factory shift and on weekends, helping Pedro operate their  neighborhood bar, Ciglo 21, at 1835 S. Wood St.  Josefina was loved and respected  by the diversity of Ciglo 21’s customers, including the young, rough crowd. Once  again, Josefina was working from sun up to sundown.   

Josefina was an active parishioner at St. Procopius Church located on 18th. and  Allport St. She was a member of the Sociedad Guadalupana formed in the late  1950s. It was this Sociedad that organized, raised funds and commissioned an artist  in Mexico City to paint the image of La Virgen de Guadupe. In the summer of 1962  Josefina, Pedro Olivo and family traveled to Mexico City to pick up the painting of  La Virgen Guadalupana. The painting was wrapped, strapped and secured on top  of their car, a 1955 Chevy, and brought back to Chicago. This painting now graces  St. Procopius Church. Josefina was proud to be part of the Sociedad and its  contributions to St. Procopius Church.   Josefina loved to travel to different places and countries. Josefina’s children,  grandchildren, nieces and relatives often invited her to travel on boat cruises,  resort beaches and other cities: Acapulco, Xochimilco, California, Dominican   Republic, Caribean, Grand Canyon. These are a few of the places Josefina visited.   Josefina is always spoken of in kind, loving and sweet words. Everyone who had  the pleasure of meeting and knowing Josefina could attest to her warm smile, heart  of gold, empathy for others and off handed, harmless humor. Josefina, if it was in  her power, could never say “no” to anyone who asked her for assistance or a favor.  Josefina placed the interests of others before her interests. Josefina was and is a  Beautiful Soul.   

Josefina is preceded in death by her parents, Jose Sanchez of Leon, Guanajuato,  Gertrudis Lopez of Parrales, Coahuila, her husband and soulmate Pedro Olivo, her  sister Victoria Mata and her oldest child, Yolanda Olivo. 

Josefina is survived by her  children, Margaret Chavez, Cesareo Olivo, Diana Olivo and Sylvia Olivo. Her  descendants include 55 grandchildren and great grandchildren.   

Josefina, our Jefecita and Matriarch, your legacy of selfishness, kindness, tireless  work and love will be remembered by family and friends.  

Visitation will be held Monday, September 15, 2025 from 3-8pm at Wolniak Funeral Home, 5700 S Pulaski, Chicago, IL. 

Funeral Tuesday, September 16, 2025. Family and friends are asked to meet directly at St. Procopius Church, 1641 S Allport, Chicago, IL for 10:00am funeral mass. A procession to Queen of Heaven Catholic Cemetery will follow for interment.