Theresa Mary Regalado Flores, a Pilsen resident who raised 12 children and became the matriarch of a sprawling family spanning four generations, died April 24, 2026, in Chicago. She was 87.
Flores was born April 5, 1939, in Corpus Christi, Texas, to Baltazar and Angela Regalado.
She was a woman of strong character — independent, determined and unwavering, her family said. She loved to read, garden and study geography. She was known for telling stories about her childhood and the challenges of growing up with older siblings, always with humor and resilience.
But the title she treasured most was “Ma.”
She is survived by her 12 children: Frank, Fatima, Mario, Theresa, Carmen, Irene, Eliseo, Frederick, Vicky, Josephine and Marco. The late Samuel preceded her in death. She is also survived by 44 grandchildren, 53 great-grandchildren, and her siblings Raymond, Guadalupe, Baltazar, Nieves, Michael and Albert. Her siblings Frank and the late Samuel preceded her in death. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, sons- and daughters-in-law and extended family.
A visitation was held May 21 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Foran Funeral Home, 7300 W. Archer Ave. A second visitation was held May 22 from 9 a.m. until prayers at 10:30 a.m. A Mass of Christian Burial was held at noon at St. Pius V Catholic Church, 1901 S. Ashland Ave. She was buried at St. Mary Cemetery, 87th Street and S. Hamlin Avenue, Evergreen Park.