Graciela Isabel Cossio de Angelats, 75, died Tuesday, March 22. She was the beloved wife of Juan Angelats, M.D .; loving mother of Giovanna (Jamie) Angelats, Juan Carlos (Erin) Angelats and Rafael (Lindsey) Angelats; cherished grandmother of Giancarlo, Alessandro, Gisela, Elin, Karolina, Sofia and Christian Angelats; dear sister of Ada Cossio, Fernando (Carmen) Cossio and Ana Maria (Pedro) Vittes.
“Chela” was born in Miraflores, Lima, Peru, on July 4, 1946, to Juan and Graciela Cossío. In childhood she was a ballerina, a competitive volleyball player and an excellent student, culminating in a Fulbright scholarship to Ohio State University. She met her husband while getting a vitamin shot at his family’s pharmacy.
They were married on April 20, 1968, and were married for over 53 years. Through the decades, Chela was the love of Juan’s life, as he was hers. Together they enjoyed music, food, travel, and their shared Peruvian culture.
Chela’s love for family lived in her deep relationships with her three children and seven grandchildren.
Chela was an amazing cook, specializing in traditional Peruvian favorites like lomito saltado, ceviche and asado. She was an amazing friend to so many, from her school classmates in Peru, people she met in her half century of life in Chicagoland, those she befriended through her support of numerous charitable organizations, and especially her closest friends in the local Peruvian and Loyola University Medical Center communities. Be it a night out or a simple phone call, she reveled in her time with them.
Chela led a busy, active life that included tennis, book and investment clubs and frequent travel to visit her pride and joy: her grandchildren in Minneapolis and Los Angeles.
Many also knew Chela’s strong competitive nature, which bubbled forth through her love of sports. Be it her debatably-reasonable expectation that no one should miss a free throw or penalty kick - ever - to shouting at her grandchildren from the sidelines, her presence and passion could not be missed.
Chela was a strong believer in helping those in need. She regularly volunteered her time and resources across a variety of organizations. Most notably, she helped organize and run many medical missions in Peru through the Peruvian American Medical Society. Over the years she also contributed her time and effort to the Loyola Auxiliary. She felt a duty to give back to her communities, always with a strong work ethic and positive attitude. She led a full, passionate and giving life and will be missed by all who knew her.
Memorial Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m. Friday, April 1, at Sullivan Funeral Home, 60 S. Grant St., Hinsdale. A funeral is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday, April 2, at St. Isaac Jogues Catholic Church, 306 W. Fourth St., Hinsdale. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Illinois Peruvian American Medical Society - Cajamarca Fund (51 Cambridge Drive, Grayslake, IL 60030; https://www.ilpams.org) or Loyola University Medical Center, (http://support.loyolamedicine.org) are appreciated. Arrangements were made by Sullivan Funeral Home of Hinsdale.
