Araceli Tejeda

Araceli "Chely" Tejeda Manzanares passed away on September 28, 2026, in Chicago, Illinois, surrounded by the loving family she spent her whole life caring for.

Chely was born in Teotlaco, Puebla, Mexico, to Ines Manzanares and Raul Tejeda. She was one of ten siblings—Trinidad, Julia, Alicia, Magdalena, Simon, Ines, Esteban, and Raul and Angel, who preceded her in death. The bonds of that big family stayed with her always.

Chely carried a deep, abiding devotion to the Virgin of Guadalupe, who guided her through every hardship and every joy. That faith was her strength, and she leaned on it always.

She made her home in Chicago, where she built a life on hard work and open-handed generosity. Chely was proud to work as many jobs at a time as she could manage, often two or three at a time. She never shied away from work, and she never did it for herself alone. Chely would go without so the people she loved could have more.

Chely's greatest joy was her family. She was a devoted grandmother to Gloria, Mariana, and Eduardo Delgado; Damian Enrique and Emma Sofia Zarate; and Santiago Rafael Lopez. She is also survived by her children: Hugo Tejeda (Adam Wiatros), Berenice Tejeda (Elio Castro), Diana Zarate (Miguel Valtierra), Adriana Zarate (Rigoberto Lopez), Agustin Zarate (Martha Elisa Zarate), and her closest niece, Erika Medina, whom she loved as a daughter (Vicente Delgado). She also leaves behind many nieces and nephews, each of whom she loved dearly.

To know Chely was to know someone who gave everything she had. She always saw the best in a person, and she did it in a way that made you feel seen and cared for. She loved decorating for family celebrations, down to the smallest detail. Chely loved making her house her own, choosing every touch with care. And she loved helping anyone who needed it—family, friends, neighbors, anyone close to her heart. She was, simply put, the hardest-working woman to have ever lived.

Chely's life was one of sacrifice, hard work, and love without end. She will be deeply missed by all who were lucky enough to be loved by her.

A visitation and Mass will be held at St. Paul's Catholic Church, 2127 W. 22nd Place, Chicago, IL 60608, on Thursday, October 8th at 4:00 p.m.

For those who wish to send flowers, they may be delivered to 3709 West 54th Street, Chicago, IL 60632. Announced. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago.