[abc7chicago.com – 2023.01.12] CHICAGO (WLS) — The owner of an Edgewater dry cleaning business and her husband were killed earlier this month in a 21-car pile-up in Florida, family said.
Maribel Macedo and Armando Gomez Sanchez died Jan. 1, their daughter said in a Facebook post.
They were involved in a large crash on Interstate 75 in Florida on New Year’s Day, according to a GoFundMe.
Loved ones said the husband and wife were pillars of support for their family.
Macedo owned Isel’s Cleaners on West Devon Avenue in Edgewater.
The storefront familiar to so many in Edgewater is shuttered and they are only doing pickups for now.
“It’s tragic it’s obviously a devastating loss,” said the couple’s daughter, Isela Macedo.
Macedo and Sanchez were celebrating a years-delayed honeymoon in Florida.
On the drive back home to Illinois, they were among those caught in bad weather and a 21 car crash in Florida on New Year’s Day.
“I will be honest, it’s heartbreaking,” said the couple’s nephew, Jonathan Lopez.
Maribel, who is a tailor, opened Isel’s Cleaners in Edgewater over ten years ago. She eventually expanded and moved across the street to the current location while getting a commendation and gaining a loyal customer base.
It’s a place where customers quickly became friends.
“It’s a loss for the community a big loss because she grew from a small spot to a big spot, so she had a lot of customers and she was very loved,” said customer Lucy Perez.
“The clean clothes and mended clothes were just a bonus,” added fellow customer Melanie Koskamp. “The best part of coming to Isel’s Cleaners was to see Maribel.”
It’s unclear what will happen to the business. For now, a part time employee is helping customers.
Many faithful customers have left special words of tribute on the GoFundMe.
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