Obituary of Lourdes T. Zebell
Lourdes T. Zebell, M.D., 95, of Hawthorn Woods, passed away peacefully on July 6, 2024. Lourdes received her medical degree in 1953 from Manila Central University. Lourdes met her husband Joe in 1954 while completing her internship (OB-GYN) at St. Mary’s Hospital in Tucson, AZ. She completed her medical residency training in New York, New York, where her son was born.
In 1962, Lourdes became a partner in the Lockport Associate Clinic, Lockport, IL as a general practitioner. Lourdes took great pride in the numerous babies she delivered, in caring for her patients’ entire families, & in attending to the employees of Texaco, Inc., USS Steel, EJ&E Railroad. Lourdes was a true pioneer.
In 1986, Lourdes became the Director of Occupational and Preventative Medicine at Great Lakes Naval Station. She retired in 2008, at the age of 79. Lourdes was extremely proud to work for the US Navy since she was a child during WWII, under the Japanese occupation. The US Navy saved the Philippine Islands.
During her retirement, Lourdes attended exercise classes at the Fogila YMCA 4 times a week and spent time cooking, gardening, and with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. When consulted, she was always available to give her excellent medical advice. She was also dedicated to her Catholic faith regularly attending Marytown and Saint Mary of Vernon Church. Lourdes was blessed with the most amazing and compassionate caregivers for whom we will be eternally grateful.
Lourdes is preceded in death by her husband Joseph Zebell; her parents Dominador and Tomasa Lazaro; and her brother Hermoso Lazaro.
Lourdes is survived by her loving children Joseph (Nancy) Zebell and Mary (Jon) Berndt; her adoring grandchildren Eric Berndt, Douglas (Queena) Berndt, Ben (Michelle) Berndt, Renee (Dustin) Joder, Lisa Zebell and Joey (Nicole) Zebell; her cherished great-grandchildren Seth Joder, Ben Joder, Owen Joder, Lily Zebell, Jaxyn Zebell, Oakley Zebell, Rylan Berndt, Maeve Berndt, Charlie Berndt, and George Berndt; and her beloved family in the Philippines.
Funeral Mass for Lourdes will be held at 10:30 AM on Saturday July 13th at St. Mary of Vernon Church, 236 US Hwy 45, Indian Creek, IL 60061. Visitation will be from 4:00 – 8:00 PM on Friday July 12th at McMurrough Funeral Chapel and at St. Mary of Vernon one hour prior to Mass. Interment at Ascension Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Mary of Vernon’s For Our Future Campaign would be greatly appreciated. Funeral info (847) 362-2626. Please sign the guestbook at libertyvillefuneralhome.com
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