Marta Lastres

Marta Lastres died January 27, 2025. She was preceded in death by her beloved spouse of 45 years, Dr. Osvaldo Lastres. Marta was born in Manzanillo, Cuba and immigrated to the United States in 1953. 

Marta was devoted to family, faith, and country. Over the years, she opened her home to family and immigrants from Cuba and helped them find homes, enroll their children in school and seek work. She was a longtime parishioner of Sacred Heart Parish in Melrose Park and later St. Francis Xavier in LaGrange. Marta was grateful for the opportunity to become a U.S. citizen, but never ceased hoping and praying for a free Cuba. She was an active member of the Cuban Medical Association of Chicago in Exile. She was an avid lover of classical music, poetry, and of course, a good cafecito. 

Marta was preceded in death by her siblings, Dr. Hector Leon, Jose Emilio Leon, and Emilio O. Leon, and her sister-in-law Maria Leon.  

She is survived by her brother, Eduardo Leon, her son, Dr. Oswaldo Lastres (Dr. Susan Nedza), and grandchildren, Gabriela Lastres (Benjamin Antillon) and Daniel Lastres. Beloved “Tia” of Rick Lastres, Pepe Lastres (Erin), James Lastres (Cathy), Eduardo Leon, Tricia Leon, Julio Leon, Remy Leon, Martha Alvarez (Pedro), Martha Leon Martinez (René), Ofelia Franco (Jeff Foreman) and René Franco (Miriam). 

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at St. Francis Xavier Parish, 124 N Spring Ave, LaGrange, IL 60525 on Monday, February 3rd, 2025. Visitation will begin at 10am and be followed by Mass at 11:00.  Entombment will be private. 

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial gifts be made to the Cuban Heritage Collection, The University of Miami Richter Library. https://www.library.miami.edu/chc/makeagift.html

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