Pablo Mena MD

Pablo Mena, dedicated doctor specializing in psychiatry, of Palos Heights, IL and born in Mexico City, Mexico, passed away peacefully at the age of 94 on August 8, 2025, surrounded by his family.

Dr. Pablo Mena was a humble yet proud patriarch who was fiercely devoted to his family. Born on March 31, 1931, in Mexico City, to the late Valentin Mena and Maria Franco, he grew up with a powerful work ethic that he later instilled in his children and grandchildren.

After recovering from tuberculosis at the age of ten, Pablo set his sights on becoming a doctor. After completing medical school in Mexico, he moved to Chicago in 1956 to begin his medical internship at Michael Reese Hospital. It was there that he met the love of his life, his wife Eva, who had also immigrated from Holland after World War II. After completing their residencies in psychiatry at the University of Iowa, Pablo moved with his family to Mexico to become the medical director of a small psychiatric hospital in Tepexpan, Mexico. In 1965, Pablo returned to the US with his family to establish a private practice. After living in Minneapolis and Oak Lawn, Illinois, in 1979 he bought Eva her dream home - a pink, Spanish style house in Palos Heights that reminded her of Mexico - where he lived the rest of his life. Family was always Pablo’s priority. He dedicated himself to caring for his wife Eva when she battled cancer, and along with his sister Josefa helped his parents build a second floor to the home they grew up in, as thanks for all the sacrifices they had made to support their education. He then paid it forward by supporting and encouraging the educational aspirations of his children, Else Maria, Yvonne and Pablo Valente. Once proclaiming “no pets,” when Eva bought herself a dog, he proved himself wrong as his love of family included his beloved dogs and “grand-dogs” -- El Turco, Dumbo, Chico, Beau, Calypso, Duke, Lolli and Letty. Prior to his retirement, Pablo was strongly committed to addressing his patients’ mental health needs. He practiced medicine “the old-fashioned way,” making sure to be caring, compassionate and always available to his patients. While as a psychiatrist Pablo provided therapy to his patients, his wisdom and counsel extended far beyond them, and he always took time to listen to anyone who needed comfort, solace, encouragement and advice. Pablo was also a diehard Bulls and Cubs fan, regardless of how good or bad the teams were year over year. Even as he battled his medical issues, he always found time to watch a game, always hoping for the “win.” Throughout his life, especially this last summer, Pablo had an unwavering will to live, showing amazing strength and determination. His philosophy was that “life is to be lived until there is no more life to live.” He was truly an inspiration to his family, his caregivers, and all the doctors and nurses who helped him.

Pablo was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Eva Mena, his father, Valentin Mena, and his mother, Maria Franco.

Pablo is survived by his sister, Josefa Mena de Martinez.

Pablo is proudly survived by his children, Else Maria Tennessen (late husband Dave), Yvonne Mayer and her husband Jeffrey, and Pablo Valente Mena and his wife Joan Marie Dauber.

Pablo is survived by his 8 grandchildren, Alex Kloth and his wife Afton Woodward, Valerie Morrow, Zachary Tennessen, Emrys Tennesen, Lucas Mayer and his wife Malena de la Fuente, Michael Mayer, Isabella Mayer, Juliana Mayer and his beloved great grandson, Julian Mayer de la Fuente.