Adriana N. Franco

Adriana “Nanas” Franco of Joliet, passed away while surrounded by her loving family at the age of 23 on September 22, 2024 at Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox, IL. She was born to the late Guillermo Franco and Marina Morales on November 14, 2000 in Chicago, IL.

There is neither the time, the space, nor sufficient words available to truly communicate what a special gift Adriana was to her family, friends, and community. The very first thing that comes to mind when reflecting on Adriana’s life is the beauty of song. She loved to sing. She didn’t sing shyly with a quiet voice, she sang out with power and emotion and joy. She sang to fill those around her with that same feeling of joy. Nanas saw the world as one of beauty. She loved bright and happy colors, with a special affinity for all shades of yellow. One of her favorite ways to pass the time was to color in one of her many coloring books. She took great pride in taking the drab grey and black of the pages and changing them into beautiful, colorful pieces of art. Her smile could communicate silently in any situation. She could light up a room with it, or she could lift up a soul with it. Everyone, even someone she had just met, was immediately welcomed as a new best friend. Nanas could see the good in a person, and was always willing to let them know. To have been called “best friend” by her, was to have been shown the wonder of what could be. She also had a wonderful sense of humor and a surprising sarcastic whit. She would wave and smile at strangers passing by, and when she heard her name called out, she almost always responded with a joyful “Yep. That’s me!” Nanas shared a very special bond with her younger brother Jesus, as the two were essentially inseparable, and she was so excited to have recently become an aunt to her sister Yasmine’s baby boy William. As family and friends move through the sadness of this devastating loss, they will do so with the steadfast knowledge that Adriana loved them completely. She always had a compliment to offer. She could always make someone feel better about themselves. That is the gift that she will continue to give to all that knew and loved her, even in her absence. We move forward with the hope that we can be more like her for the rest of our days.

Adriana was preceded in death by her father Guillermo Franco, her grandfather Pablo Morales, and her uncle Alfredo Morales.

She is survived by her mother Marina Morales, sister Yasmine Hernandez, brother Jesus Franco, nephew William McCann, grandmother Maria Morales, and many aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, and other loved ones also survive.

In honor of Adriana’s spirit, the family requests that all guests avoid wearing the colors black and grey to her services if possible. If you are able to bring a new coloring book for the family to collect and donate in her name it would be greatly appreciated.

A Celebration of Life Visitation will be held at Tezak’s Home to Celebrate Life, 1211 Plainfield Rd. Joliet, IL on Sunday, September 29, 2024 from 3:00 pm – 8:00 pm. Chapel prayers will take place at Tezak’s Home to Celebrate Life on the morning of Monday, September 30, 2024, before travelling in procession to St. John the Baptist Church, 404 N. Hickory St. Joliet, IL for a Funeral Mass at 10:00 am. Cremation rites will then be accorded.