Des Plaines mom, sons die during Mexican vacation

A memorial service will be held Saturday for three members of a Des Plaines family who died last week while vacationing in Mexico.

Brenda Correa, 40, and her sons Leo, 14, and Armando, 13, apparently were killed by a carbon monoxide leak in the house in which they were staying, a relative said Monday.

Correa and her sons were staying at a family house in Michoacan, in west-central Mexico. Their bodies were found July 2 by an uncle who’d been sent to the house when no one answered repeated phone calls, said Milena Mroczek, Correa’s sister-in-law.

The boys died near their beds, Mroczek said. Correa was found in a shower.

No one else was in the house. Correa’s husband, Armando Correa Sr., and daughter, Brittany, had not gone with them to Mexico, and the home’s residents were elsewhere, Mroczek said.

The deaths are under investigation in Mexico, Mroczek said.

Correa was a teacher at Des Plaines School District 62’s Westerhold Early Learning Center. She seemed to always have a positive attitude and smiled a lot, Mroczek said.

“She had a wonderful outlook on life,” she added.

Leo had just finished eighth grade at Algonquin Middle School and was to be a freshman at Maine West High School in Des Plaines. He was an award-winning student who loved to read, especially when he was younger, Mroczek said.

Armando was an incoming eighth grader at Algonquin Middle. He was very funny, Mroczek said. Like many children their age, both boys loved video games.

In a message to district families, District 62 Superintendent Michael Amadei said officials were “devastated” by the deaths.

District 62 will offer emotional support to grieving staffers and families through the student services department, a spokesperson said. Details hadn’t been finalized as of Monday afternoon, but those needing assistance can call (847) 824-1160.

People who knew Correa and her sons have expressed their condolences on Facebook.

“I am going to miss sweet, friendly and always smiling Brenda,” one person posted.

Said another: “Beautiful Brenda, I will miss your loving personality and warm hugs.”

Des Plaines Mayor Andrew Goczkowski said city officials are heartbroken and asked residents to keep the family in their prayers.

A memorial Mass will be said at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Stephen the Protomartyr Catholic Church, 1280 Prospect Ave., Des Plaines.

Family members intended to bring the Correas back to the U.S. but couldn’t because of the investigation, Mroczek said. They have been buried in Mexico.