Lucy Marie Pérez De Klitzing

Lucy M. Pérez de Klitzing entered into God’s Kingdom on March 6, 2022 after a short battle with cancer at Memorial Hospital of Carbondale. Lucy was born on October 22, 1963 in Chicago, IL to Carlos Pérez, Sr. and Estela Sencion. Lucy started many bilingual and Hispanic choirs in the Chicago area including Saint Joseph Catholic Church, Queen of Angels Catholic Church, and St. Viator Church. She then attended Southern Illinois University and studied Music, Spanish, and Psychology as well as starting a choir for the Mass in Spanish at St. Francis Xavier, which she then directed for many years. She was also an interpreter/translator for the health and court systems in Southern Illinois. In 2015 Lucy met Kyle Klitzing, her match truly made in heaven. They were married November 12, 2016 in Inverness, IL.



When Lucy was younger, her favorite activities were roller-skating, racquetball, and she was fascinated with Hollywood movies. She especially loved the Chicago Cubs; Lucy and Kyle drove all night to Chicago so they could celebrate along with her Cubbies and 5 million Cub fans at the World Series 2016 victory rally.



Lucy’s greatest gift was in her ministry of music and the many friends and family who met Jesus because of it. She was an amazing spiritual choir director for several churches in Chicago and Carbondale. Lucy had a way of making sure the youth would participate and truly understand the meaning of their ministry. She was always very proud of her Mexican culture; Lucy directed both Spanish and bilingual choirs. One highlight she directed was a celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe using traditional Aztec liturgical dancers.



Lucy was a wonderful aunt to her many nephews and nieces and always had time for a conversation. She made each and everyone of them know how important they were in her life. Lucy was their friend and it is not an exaggeration to say she was a lifeline to some of them.



Kyle and Lucy's family and friends will miss her bright presence in their lives but rejoice knowing that she is in peace and resting. Lucy joins her deceased parents Carlos and Estela Pérez, sister Maria Elena Cabrera, kittens Velu and Bootsie in Heaven. She is survived by many loving family members, including husband Kyle, sisters Maria de Lourdes Kepes (Michael); Scottsdale, AZ; Rose Mumford (Jon), Bristol, IN; and Anna Barrios (Joe), Hoffman Estates, IL; brothers Carlos Pérez (Yanira), Elgin, IL; and Rafael Pérez, Streamwood, IL; as well as mother and father in-law Michael and Maria Klitzing, Altamont, IL; sisters and brothers in-law; Kelsey Kort (Josh), Festus, MO; Haley Richardson (Dan), Springfield, IL; Logan Klitzing and Emma Klitzing, Altamont, IL.



A Funeral Mass for Lucy was held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 12, 2022 at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 303 S Poplar St., Carbondale, IL. Her funeral was concelebrated by the parish pastor, Rev. Robert Flannery, and Rev. David P. Uribe, OMI.



A memorial service and burial will be held on April 29th, at Holy Family Church, 2515 W Palatine Rd, Inverness, IL celebrated by Father Terry Keehan. The Visitation will be from 9:30-10:15, with the Mass beginning at 10:30am.



Everyone is welcome to bring a favorite picture of Lucy to share.



Señor, me has mirado a los ojos

Sonriendo, has dicho mi nombre

En la arena, he dejado mi barca

Junto a ti, buscaré otro mar

- Pescador de Hombres



Memorials in Lucy’s name may be made to St. Francis Xavier Hispanic Community, 303 South Poplar Street, Carbondale, IL 62901.



Meredith Funeral Home in Carbondale assisted the family with arrangements. To leave a story, a memory, or a photo of Lucy visit meredithfh.com