Zenaida Cadorna Hilario

Zenaida Cadorna Hilario, 85, of Arlington Heights, Illinois, passed away on July 9, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Born September 20, 1940, in Quezon City, Philippines, she was the youngest of seven children born to Arcadio and Fidela Cadorna.

Zenaida built a successful career as a chemist specializing in food science, a passion that beautifully spilled over into her home life. She was an exceptionally talented baker, renowned for her flawless buttercream frosting and traditional Filipino desserts. Driven by a desire for a better life, she made the courageous move from the Philippines to the United States. She was a woman of immense strength and fierce conviction; while she was stubborn enough to hold a grudge, her deep love for her family always won out in the end. Her legendary toughness was on full display in her later years—she could stay up until three in the morning binging Filipino soap operas, yet never miss a beat getting up early the next day for dialysis.

Zenaida found joy in life’s vibrant pleasures. She loved the bright bloom of bougainvilleas, sharing meals at Korean BBQ, and passionately cheering on the Golden State Warriors on NBA League Pass. In Las Vegas, she could often be found tracking down her favorite White Orchid slot machine at Resorts World, or happily dozing off to episodes of Press Your Luck and The Price is Right.

Zenaida is survived by her husband, Virgilio; her sons Michael (Las Vegas, NV), Mark and his wife Sara (Orlando, FL), and Jonathan and his wife Ann (Gardena, CA); and her beloved granddaughter, Meredith. She was preceded in death by her siblings: Emiliano Cadorna, Soledad Escolano, Guillermo Cadorna, Constancio Cadorna, Glicerio Cadorna, and Restituto Cadorna. She leaves behind a legacy of resilience, intelligence, and sharp wit.

A memorial service will be held at 9:00 a.m. PT on July 24, 2026, at Inspired Life Memorials at Summerlin in Las Vegas, Nevada, located at 311 N. Buffalo Dr. Suite B, Las Vegas, NV 89145.

Additionally, please sign the digital guestbook below to leave a loving message or positive memory of Zenaida with the family, as well as order flowers or plant a tree in her honor.