Araceli B Santa Olalla

Araceli “Cheli” Santa Olalla, of Rockford, Illinois, passed away peacefully after a short and sudden illness, surrounded by her loving family on the evening of Friday, August 15, 2025. 

Born in Mexico City, Mexico, Cheli emigrated to the United States in 1970, where she built a beautiful life rooted in love, family, and hard work. She married the love of her life, Gustavo Santa Olalla, on December 16, 1962, in Mexico City. Their love story began when Gustavo was delivering to a neighboring store and first met Cheli while she was helping in the family business. After three years of courtship, they wed and embarked on a lifelong journey together.

Cheli dedicated 29 years of service to the Testors Corporation before retiring in 2007. Beyond her career, she was known for her warm and generous spirit. She found joy in cooking for her family, shopping at Marshall Fields, working on puzzles, and spending evenings with her beloved telenovelas. Most of all, Cheli’s greatest pride was being a devoted wife, mother, abuela, and bis-abuela. She lived for the happiness of her family and showered them with unconditional love and care.

She is survived by her loving husband, Gustavo; her children, Gus Santa Olalla (Pina), Aracely Belmontes (Antonio), and Gabe Santa Olalla (Angie); her grandchildren, Jackie Hennelly (Taylor), Cristian Santa Olalla, Arianne Bunch (Byron), Alyssa McDaniel (Brendon), Daniel Antonio Belmontes, and Jose Antonio Belmontes (fiancée Martiqa); and her great-grandchildren, Adalynn Hennelly, Augustina Hennelly, Lorelai McDaniel, and Gwendolyn Bunch. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, and two sisters.

Memorial service will be held at 6:30 PM on Monday, August 25, 2025 in Honquest Family Funeral Home and Crematory, 4311 N. Mulford Road, Loves Park, IL with a memorial visitation from 5:30 PM until the time of the service.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family. Cheli’s memory will live forever in the hearts of those who loved her. 

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