Filomena Saccucci

NAME FILOMENA "Memena" SACCUCCI, age 92, of Geneva, IL, passed away Tuesday, January 26, 2010, at Delnor Hospital, Geneva, IL, surrounded by the love of her family following a battle with congestive heart failure. BORN: She was born October 31, 1917, in Sora, Italy, the daughter of Vincenzo and Lucia (Galante) Iafrate. EARLY YEARS:Memena grew up in Sora and attended local schools. Following her education, she ran her own business specializing in made to order sweaters and dresses. MARRIAGE: In February 1950, she was united in marriage to Basilio Saccucci. Basilio found work in Argentina, Venezuela and finally in Paris before immigrating to the United States in February of 1961. During this time Memena stayed in Sora but followed Basilio with their two children, John and Rosanna, and made a home in Queens, New York before settling in Commack, Long Island, NY. OCCUPATION / WORK HISTORY:Once in the United States, Memena continued in her line of work as a seamstress making clothes not only for a living but for herself and her family as well. When she shopped for clothes, she never looked at the size because she knew she could alter any garment to fit her or her family perfectly. RESIDENTIAL HISTORY: Follow the passing of Basilio, Memena moved to Wheaton to be near her son John in 2001. In 2007, she moved with John once more to Geneva, IL. LIFE NOTES: Memena was devoted to her family and her faith. She would cook her special spaghetti sauce and make homemade bread every Sunday to use the rest of the week. Memena had a green thumb and loved to keep large gardens which would include celery, zucchini, eggplant, cucumber and lettuce as well as fifty or sixty tomato plants whose harvest was canned each autumn. Food was a one of the foundations of the family and was celebrated with every meal. When she was happy, which was often while she was cooking, you could hear Memena sing her favorite Italian songs from her youth, the melody of which wafted through the air mingling with the scents and sounds of her heritage making memories to last for generations. SURVIVORS: She now leaves her children:John Saccucci of Geneva, IL, Rosanna (Joseph) Perna of Kings Park, NY;Five grandchildren:Tina PernaJoey Perna Mark Perna,Christen Saccucci and Michael Saccucci;Five great-grandchildren;One brother, many nieces, nephews, cousins and a family of friends. PRECEDED:She now joins her husband Basilio and four siblings who preceded her in death. VISITATION / FUNERAL A mass to celebrate her life will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, February 4, 2010, at St. Gall Catholic Church. Fr. Karl Ganss, pastor of the church, will officiate and interment will follow at a later date at Holy Sepulcher Cemetery in Coram, NY.MEMORIAL A memorial has been established in her name to benefit her favorite charities. Checks may be made to the "Filomena Saccucci Memorial" and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, 60119. Tributes may also be forwarded to the same address or on the web at www.conleycare.com.

A mass to celebrate her life will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, February 4, 2010, at St. Gall Catholic Church. Fr. Karl Ganss, pastor of the church, will officiate.

Interment will follow at a later date at Holy Sepulcher Cemetery in Coram, NY.