Margarita Doral Serrano

Margarita Doral Serrano, 88, of Gurnee, IL, passed away on March 28, 2024, at Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville, IL, after a valiant battle with Mantle Cell Lymphoma. Margarita–fondly known as “Marge” by her friends and “Mama” by her family–was born on July 20, 1936, in Bangued, Abra, Philippines. She was the only child of Lourdes Barros and Braulio Doral and was raised in La Paz. Marge completed her nursing degree at Baguio General Hospital School of Nursing. She met the love of her life Leocadio Vasquez Serrano of Libon, Albay, and they married on June 6, 1958, in Manila. Leo and Marge would go on to share 64 devoted years of marriage. They had 5 children–Marirose, Enrico, Adolfo, Joseph, and Leocadio, Jr.–in Manila. Leaving behind their children in pursuit of a better life, Marge and Leo immigrated to the U.S. on November 13, 1966, working and living in Saginaw, Michigan, for one year. In 1967 they put down their roots in Chicago, IL, and had their last two children–Franklin and Grace Ann. They closed on their house on Pratt Boulevard on January 30, 1971, and their five children emigrated from La Paz in 1972. Throughout her nursing career, Marge worked at several healthcare facilities in the Chicagoland area, including the Veterans Administration’s Lakeside Medical Center and various nursing homes, oftentimes working double shifts. She dedicated most of her career at St. Francis Hospital in Evanston from 1977 until her retirement. Outside of work, Marge was a dedicated member of the Confraternity of Our Lady of Peñafrancia, the Filipino-American (Fil-Am) Association of Chicago and the Midwest, the Catholic Guild, Bikol USA of the Midwest, as well as a parishioner of St. Timothy in West Ridge and St. Matthias in Lincoln Square. She will be remembered as a faithful follower of Jesus Christ and prayerful venerator of Our Lady of Peñafrancia, a hard-working nurse, and a thoughtful and affable friend among her social circles and at Thomas Place Gurnee. Surviving are her 7 children: Marirose, Enrico (Myrna), Adolfo (Adora), Joseph (Amy), Leocadio, Jr., Franklin (Rebeca), and Grace Ann; 13 grandchildren: Kenneth (Saima) Serrano, Jessica (Zen) Gatton, Ashley Serrano, Brianna Serrano, Anthony Serrano, Michael Serrano, Ariel Serrano, Jana Serrano, Krystin (Brian) Reketis, Christopher Serrano, Nicole Serrano, Brandon Serrano, and Maya Molina. Marge was preceded in death by her husband Leocadio (d. 2022). Funeral mass will be held at 12:30 p.m., Friday, April 5, 2024, at Santa Maria del Popolo Parish, 116 N. Lake St., Mundelein IL. A brief visitation will be held on the same day from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Burnett-Dane Funeral Home, 120 W. Park Avenue, Libertyville, IL. For info: 847-362-3009, or share a memory at www.burnettdane.com.

Margarita Doral Serrano

July 20, 1936 - March 28, 2024