Maria "iro" Roman

Maria "Iro" Roman

August 23, 1943 - July 17, 2026

 Maria “Iro” Roman, 82, was born on August 23, 1943, in Camuy, Puerto Rico, and passed away on July 17, 2026, in Chicago, Illinois.

To know Iro was to know what it felt like to be genuinely cared for. She was loving, compassionate, generous, and deeply devoted to her family and her faith. She had a special way of making people feel remembered and loved, not only through her words, but through the many acts of kindness that came so naturally to her.

Walking into Iro’s home meant you would be welcomed, fed, and almost certainly offered a cup of coffee. She loved drinking coffee and sharing it with anyone who came to visit. Sitting together over a warm cup was a chance to talk, listen to one of her stories, laugh, and simply spend time together. And when it was time to leave, she often made sure you didn’t walk out the door empty-handed. Giving was one of the many ways she showed her love.

Iro remembered everyone. She had an incredible memory for birthdays and always made sure the people she loved knew they were special. She was constantly thinking of others, finding something to give, and making sure everyone around her was cared for.

Her faith was at the heart of her life. She loved reading the Bible and had a remarkable memory for Bible verses. She prayed faithfully for her family, her friends, and even people she had only recently met. It didn’t matter how long she had known you—if she knew you needed prayer, she would pray for you. Her faith could be seen in the compassion, kindness, and love she showed to others every day.

Iro was also incredibly creative. She loved drawing, painting, knitting, planting flowers, cooking, and telling stories. She found joy in creating things with her hands and sharing them with those around her.

One of her greatest joys was being a grandmother. Her grandchildren knew they could always count on her. She was there to watch them, care for them, feed them, pray for them, and love them. Her home was a place where they always felt welcomed and cared for, and the memories they created with her will remain with them forever.

Iro was the devoted mother of Freddy, Toño, Johnny, Mari, and Saida, and the beloved grandmother of Nene, Ruby, Evely, Gio, Julian, Iliana, Nathan, Misa, Cecilia, Alani, Adalia, and Aaliyah. She was blessed to see her family continue to grow through her great-grandchildren: Maelani, Adriel, Amelia, Amenadiel, Izra, Mason, Emilia, Maelis, and Sean.

She is also remembered by her siblings: Lupe, Uto, Tana, and Dora. She was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Rodulfo and Francisca.

For those of us blessed to call her Mom, Grandma, Great-Grandma, sister, family, or friend, Iro leaves us with countless memories. We will remember her when we sit down with a cup of coffee, see beautiful flowers growing, open the Bible, hear a familiar story, enjoy a home-cooked meal, or give someone a gift simply because we were thinking of them.

We will remember the woman who never forgot our birthdays. The woman who gave without expecting anything in return. The grandmother who was always there when we needed her, and the woman who prayed for us even when we may not have known she was doing it.
Her life taught us to care for one another, to give generously, to remember the people we love, to have faith, and to always make room at the table for one more person—and perhaps one more cup of coffee.

We love you mami, Abuela, Iro. You will be deeply missed, forever remembered, and always carried in our hearts.

Visitation will be held, Tuesday, July 21, 2026 from 10:00am until time of service 1:00pm at CityLine Bible Church, 7333 N Caldwell Avenue, Niles, IL. A procession to bring Maria to her final  place of rest at Maryhill Cemetery will immediately follow the service. 

For more information please call (773) 710-5433.