Irene "Nana" Lopez

Irene “Nana” Lopez, age 89, of Hammond, passed away Monday, November 29, 2021 in Munster, Indiana.  Irene is survived by 7 children:  Jose Lopez, Carlos Lopez, Annette Lopez, Patricia (Bill Jones) Lopez, Ricardo Lopez, Victor (Rosie) Lopez, and Dora (Ricardo) Villagomez; 2 grandchildren she raised as her own children: Syrita Lopez and David Lopez; 13 grandchildren:  Carlos “C.J.” (Felicia) Lopez, T.J. Hopson, Cassondra Lindsey, Julie Lopez, Dustin (Ashly) Lindsey, Elizabeth (Nicholas) Frey, Orlondo Lopez, Cecilia (Brian) Velazquez, Victor (Kat) Lopez, Jovi Lopez, Vince Lopez, Kayla (Kris) Lopez, and Karina Miramontes; and 28 great grandchildren: Yvonne, Matthew, Julie, Jasmine, Little C.J., and Jozzalyn; Jesse, Marissa, E.J., and Jayden; Nicholas, Anjelica, Christian and William Avery; Alexis, Isaac, Viktoria, AnaBelle, and Emilia; Madelyn, Marcus, and Dustin, Jr.; Jeremiah; Brian III; Paizlee-Ann; Kaeden and Kamryn; and Andres; and also her sister, Eva Martinez.

Preceded in death by her loving sons, David Lopez and infant Victor Lopez; granddaughters, Nicole Lopez and Jennifer Hopson; mother, Josefa Silva; siblings:  Francisca Mireles, Victor Garcia, Raul Garcia, and Ernesto Garcia.

Irene Lopez, best known as Nana or Ms. Lopez was born on November 7, 1932 in Chihuahua, Mexico. She came to the United States in 1955 where she resided with her family in Texas. Between 1955 and 1965 they traveled between California, Mexico, Texas, Illinois and eventually Turner Park in Hammond, Indiana where she called home. She loved to cook for her family and anyone who was hungry. Nana was the best cook! She made everything from mole, rice, taco suaves, tortillas, tamales, and last but not least her famous buñuelos. She was always at a party where everyone knew her as Tia or Comadre. She loved to dance and drink her “chelas” or take a shot of tequila. She was a great friend to so many and always had the most amazing stories to tell. She was also the famous one in our family appearing in the movies Sixteen Candles and Above the Law as an extra. Nana loved to celebrate the holidays, especially hiding eggs on Easter. But those of us that know her know that when she said “4th of July” she wasn’t referring to the holiday! She was a Nana to everyone and dedicated her life to her family. She is the perfect definition of both unconditional love and perseverance. Her head massages and bendición will forever be missed.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, December 6, 2021 at 10:00 am at St. Mary Church, Indianapolis Blvd. at 144th Street, East Chicago, IN with Rev. Nestor Varon officiating.  Private cremation and burial to follow. Visitation will be on Sunday, December 5, 2021 from 2:00 to 6:00 pm at FIFE FUNERAL HOME, 4201 Indianapolis Blvd., East Chicago, IN and from 9:00 am to 10:00 am at the Church on Monday morning.  To send an online condolence, logon to: www.fifefuneralhome.com

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