Rachel Morgan

Rachel Morgan
Des Plaines, IL

April 21, 2020 Rachel Morgan passed away at the age of 90.

Rachel was born in Oklahoma City September 4, 1929 to Ascencion and Isabelle Guajardo. She was the fifth of seven children. Shortly after her birth, the Guajardo family moved to Chicago where Rachel would graduate from Harrison High School and then continue her education at a business school in Chicago.

While fiercely independent and only marching to her own drum, Rachel was beautiful, kind, loving, trusting and compassionate. Later in life, many described her as quirky, extremely entertaining, and that she had 9 lives. She would share fascinating stories about her life and endeavors, and to the chagrin of her sisters, stories about the family. Rachel would compassionately help with her ailing mother, sisters and friends. She would readily open her wallet to those in need, and would join great causes such as woman’s and worker’s rights, and support political affiliations she believed in.

Although Rachel never had children she was a wonderful aunt to 12 nieces and nephews. She would often take some to stay with her at her home for weeks during summer breaks. Many remember Aunt Rachel taking them out to dinner, and getting spoiled by her.

Rachel would tell all how much she was blessed to have her niece Lexie, in her life. Lexie cared for her for many years leading up until the day Rachel passed away. Lexie was her rock, her comfort, her champion, her guardian and the closest thing Rachel had to a loving daughter.

All can remember loud family gatherings and the camaraderie between Rachel, her siblings and cousins as they would entertain everything and everyone. Rachel would be the first to sing and dance and celebrate with the family as she looked forward to gatherings, especially Christmas and weddings.

Rachel would enthusiastically ask about your life and your family. She would readily pull out her tarot cards and read your future or try to help steer your decisions. She eagerly discussed all local and national political candidates and their scandals. She so enjoyed the music of Celia Cruz, Andreas Botticelli and instrumental Jazz and fine food and chocolates.

A passionate supporter of migrant workers and field hands, Rachel joined Cesar Chavez and Delores Huerta in the infancy of their National Farm Worker’s Association, later becoming United Farmworkers Union as a union organizer, recruiter and promoter. She traveled the United States with the UFW gaining recognition and membership for the union for many years.

Always a community and people’s rights activist, Rachel worked and devoted a part of her life to the Pilsen 18th Street Project and the local Latino arts community for Mexican arts and music.

Later, Rachel enjoyed running the offices for her nephew’s businesses into her retirement.

Besides Chicago, Rachel lived in Memphis, Birmingham and Houston. Her last residence was in Oak Brook before moving into a nursing home.

Rachel is survived by her sister Yolanda (Victor) Moreno, cousin Irene Barba, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters Josephine Monreal, Abigail Razo, and Sonja Mazzone and brothers John and Smile Guajardo.

Rachel Morgan will be laid to rest Tuesday April 28, 2020 at noon at Queen of Heaven Cemetery Chapel, Hillside, Illinois. The chapel is currently limited to less than 10 people at a time, however people can rotate in and out. A memorial service will be held at a later date once it is safe for people to congregate.