Isabel Garcia, age 74, a resident of Carol Stream, IL, died Tuesday, October 25, 2011, at Central DuPage Hospital in Winfield, IL. She was born April 7, 1937 in Cantano, Puerto Rico.

Isabel was a dedicated and loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was strong-willed and very independent. She immigrated from Puerto Rico at the age of 14 and taught herself how to speak English. She raised her children on her own and also helped raise her grandchildren. She had a love for life, flowers, and entertainment.

She is survived by her five children, Luis (Yolanda) Garcia of Berwyn, IL, Albert (Robin) Garcia of Glenwood, IL, Rachel (Rodney) Brannon of Virginia Beach, VA, Marie Garcia of Chicago, IL and Elizabeth (Carlos) Desarden of Carol Stream, IL; 14 grandchildren, Jose, Natasha, and Anthony Garcia, Christopher and Alberto Garcia, Jessica (Shaun) Jackson, Joshua, Chloe, and Gabrielle Brannon, and Dominique, Jeremy, Sophia, and Cecilia Desarden; 10 great-grandchildren, Tatiana Guzman, Angelina Donahue, Melvin Guzman Jr., Jailene Guzman, Damian Garcia, Leiani Garcia, and Anthony Garcia Jr., and Ava and Porter Jackson; her niece, Lydia Burgos; and two nephews, Peter Burgos, and Paul (Lisabeth) Burgos.

She was preceded in death by her spouse, Benigno Collazo; her sister, Marina Rivera; and her great-grandson, Alejandro Garcia.

Services and interment are private.