Maria Luisa Delgado Perlaza

Maria Luisa Delgado Perlaza, 87, of Philadelphia, PA, passed away on Thursday, June 5, 2025.

She was the daughter of the late Alberto Delgado Ramirez and Pastora Perlaza Portocarrero; and sister to the late Gerardo Suárez Perlaza, Joaquin Tenorio Perlaza, and Jesús Eduardo Tenorio Perlaza.

Maria is survived by her lifetime companion, Howard M. Lowell; sister, Carmen Francisca Tenorio Perlaza; several nieces and nephews; and several great nieces and great nephews.

Maria was born in Buenaventura, Colombia and graduated from the University of Antioquia in Medellín, Colombia. She worked for the Borden Chemical Company in Colombia before excepting a position with them in the United States and moved here in 1966. She worked a short time for Sattler Laboratories before accepting a position with the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Bureau of Laboratories, which she held for 30 years, retiring in 2004, during which worked on Legionnaires' disease and was awarded 3 patents for biopolymers. During this time in her life, Maria taught Spanish at the Universal School of Languages, were she met Howard in 1970.

After Maria and Howard retired, they both joined the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI), where Maria served as both Vice President and Chairperson of the Membership Committee. Maria was very active in many organizations throughout her life. She served on the Board of Directors for the Garden Court Community Association, where she instituted the annual progressive dinner. She served on the Board of Directors for the University City Arts League, where she coordinated the annual auction for two years. She was a member of the Triblock Neighbors, and was an active gardener.

Visitation: Saturday, June 14, 2025, from 10:00-11:00 am, at St. Francis De Sales Catholic Church, 4625 Springfield Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19143.

Funeral Mass: Saturday, June 14, 2025, at 11:00 am, at St. Francis De Sales Catholic Church.

Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Maria’s name to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia at PO Box 781352 Philadelphia, PA 19178.