COVID-19’s toll on Illinois’ health care field: A memorial to 45 of those who died

More than 100 professionals working in the health care field have died in Illinois since COVID-19 began its deadly march through the state this past spring, according to public health officials, who said the exact figure is likely higher. They include nurses, doctors, medical assistants, technicians, therapists and other support staff who clean rooms, serve food and provide security. They worked in hospitals, nursing homes, private offices or on ambulance crews and in homes as health aides. Most were minorities. The Tribune has identified and interviewed dozens of families to chronicle the devastating loss of life and acts of heroism.

Crystal Cantrell-Barbee, 63, of Hazel Crest. Died March 30. Information and referral specialist, Advocate Health Care. Outgoing, spoke her mind, put her family first.

Jerome Sutton, 37, of Chicago. Died April 3. Patient transport, private medical transport company. A gift for making people laugh, positive attitude.

Timothy Branscomb, 32, of Chicago. Died April 6. Security, private physician offices. Planning his wedding, childlike spirit, lovable giant.

Mario Araujo, 49, of Chicago. Died April 7. Firefighter/paramedic, Chicago Fire Department. Driven by a motivation to help, had big dreams.

Robbie Sykes, 60, of Harvey. Died April 8. Nurse, The Grove of La Grange Park. Down-to-earth diva who came from a family of nurses.

Leola Grady, 59, of Chicago. Died April 10. Aide, Bria of Forest Edge, Chicago. Loving mother. Michelle Abernathy, 52, of Chicago. Died April 13. Residential services supervisor, Ludeman Developmental Center, Park Forest. Generous mentor who lived by the motto, “Kids First.” Maevelyn Cabe Chavez, 61, of Chicago. Died April 13. Nurse, The Grove nursing home, Chicago. Short but fierce mother of three, loved cooking shows and shopping. Dr. Joseph Bongiorno, 78, of Chicago. Died April 14. Psychiatrist, private psychiatry practice, Chicago, Skokie. Kind-natured doctor who continued to work well beyond retirement out of commitment to his patients.

Anjanette Miller, 48, of Skokie. Died April 14. Nurse, Community First Medical Center, Chicago. Veteran nurse took to social media to warn others, share her fight against the virus.

Edward Singleton, 55, of Chicago. Died April 14. Firefighter/paramedic, Chicago Fire Department. True professional, became a firefighter to follow in his brother’s footsteps. Spagnolia Tart, 39, of Chicago. Died April 14. Environmental services, Rush University Medical Center. Gentle giant who “played cards like Michael Jordan played basketball.”

Josephine Tapiru, 56, of Chicago. Died April 18. Nurse, Park View Rehab, Chicago. Worked extra shifts due to short-staffed nursing home; her son also died days later.

Sandra Evans-Green, 58, of Joliet. Died April 18. Certified nursing assistant, Symphony of Joliet. “She meant everything to us.”

Felicia Ailende, 67, of Chicago. Died April 20. Nurse, Bria of Forest Edge, Chicago. Nigerian immigrant who became a U.S. citizen, mother of six, grandmother of 14, an ordained minister who devoted her life to family, fellowship and God.

Joyce Pacubas-Le Blanc, 53, of Darien, Died April 23. Nurse, University of Illinois Hospital, Chicago. Caring co-worker, loving wife and mother excited about plans to buy a sailboat. Oluwayemisi “Yemi” Ogunnubi, 59, of Chicago. Died April 24. Nurse, Symphony of Morgan Park, Chicago. From Nigeria, she came to the U.S. seeking a better future.

Juan Martinez, 60, of Chicago. Died April 27. Surgical technologist, University of Illinois Hospital, Chicago. A man of faith, soon to retire, looked forward to more time with family and travel Ijeoma Afuke, 35, of Chicago. Died April 29. Certified nursing assistant, MADO Health Care (Uptown location). Immigrant working toward nursing degree, citizenship.

Maria Magdaleno, 64, of Chicago. Died April 29. Nurse, Center Home for Hispanic Elderly, Chicago. Generous, full of laughter, saw her patients as members of her family. Robert “David” Reisinger, 57, of Chicago. Died April 29. Firefighter/paramedic, River Grove Fire Department; retired Stroger Hospital EMS coordinator. Good-natured, easygoing, involved in Boy Scout Explorers.

Krist Angielen Guzman, 35, of Bolingbrook. Died May 2. Nurse, Meadowbrook Manor Bolingbrook. Mother of three, knew what she wanted in life and went for it.

Carolyn McBride, 65, of Collinsville. Died May 2. Nurse, Eden Village retirement center, Glen Carbon. Loved fishing, hunting, her residents and, most of all, her family.

Maria Lopez, 63, of Burbank. Died May 4. Nurse, University of Illinois Hospital, Chicago. Loved to travel, heart of gold, planning her retirement.

Gabrail Ismayl, 62, of Chicago. Died May 6. Patient transport, Swedish Hospital, Chicago. A father of three who spoke four languages, loved to sing, always upbeat.

Luisa Docil, 51, of Chicago. Died May 7. Nurse, Kindred Chicago Lakeshore. Caring and quiet, always put others first.

Leather “Lisa” Moss, 53, of Chicago. Died May 15. Nurse, University of Chicago Medical Center. Ride-or-die aunt, caring heart.

Judy Heimann, 63, of Aviston. Died May 15. Nurse, Carlyle Healthcare Center. “She figured that nursing was the best way she could help people.”

Karon Hoffman, 69, of McHenry. Died May 18. Nurse, Alden Terrace of McHenry. Mother, grandmother, independent.

Janice Jackson-Rawles, 59, of Chicago. Died May 19. Health care reimbursement analyst, University of Illinois Hospital, Chicago. “The most vibrant person you could meet, hands down.”

Nancy Veto, 65, of River Grove. Died May 26. Nurse, Community First Medical Center, Chicago.

Much-loved ICU nurse, mentor, mother.

Joan Duda-Kissane, 63, of Chicago. Died May 27. Nurse, St. Anthony Hospital, Chicago. Cherished twin sister, wife, compassionate, adventurous traveler.

Candace Nichols, 37, Chicago. Died May 27. Home care aide, daycare assistant. Sweet, loving and caring spirit.

Dr. James McCreary, 73, of Oak Park. Died June 3. Physician, Amita Health St. Joseph Hospital, Chicago. Consummate healer, learned Japanese to communicate with patients. Josefina Guno Javier, 56, of Glendale Heights. Died June 5. Nurse, ManorCare Health Services-Elk Grove Village. “She always put others first. That’s how she became a nurse.” Eneida Velazquez, 56, of Chicago. Died June 5. Social worker, Casa Central. Always put others’ needs above her own.

Rosie Swain, 64, of Chicago. Died June 7. Nurse, City View Multicare Center, Cicero. Dedicated to her patients, indulgent grandmother known for her sweet potato pie.

Evelyn Ramirez, 24, of Chicago. Died June 16. Certified nursing assistant and phlebotomist, Aperion Care International, Chicago. Loved working with the elderly, helping her parents, studied hard, dreamed of becoming a nurse practitioner. Edward Starling, 61, of Chicago. Died June 17. Phlebotomist/teacher, University of Illinois Hospital, Chicago. Highly motivated, skilled, enjoyed teaching others.

Larry Henning, 67, of Rockford. Died June 26. Nurse, Rockford Health System. “He was caring — just wanted to do the right thing for people and make them better.” Rosa Deheza, 61, of Carpentersville. Died July 3. Housekeeping, River View Rehab Center, Elgin. Very caring, beloved mother and grandmother who made great tamales.

Dorothy Sims, 35, of Schaumburg. Died July 7. Nurse, Burr Ridge Senior Living. Hardworking single mom, ambitious, dazzling smile.

Dione Malana, 61, of Norridge. Died July 12. Nurse, Central Baptist Village, Norridge. Avid gardener, lover of ice cream, devoted to church, family, nursing, loved basketball. Duane Wooley, 42, of Hanover Park. Died July 17. Environmental services, Amita Health St. Alexius Medical Center, Hoffman Estates. Known for his big smile, devoted family man. Neuman Kiamco, 48, of Oak Park. Died August 30. Nurse, MacNeal Hospital. Born and studied in Philippines, jokester, gifted at guitar.