KIMBERLY MARIE PICCIN-STIAVA

Kimberly Piccin-Stiava MSW, LCSW passed away on March 16, 2026 at the age of 59 in Naperville, IL. Kimberly lived a life with great meaning, filled with love, great deeds, and courage over suffering. She is survived by her family, two children Katie and Jeremy, and spouse of nearly 32 years, Charles "Chuck" Stiava.

She was preceded in death recently by her father, Wayne A Piccin (d. 2021) and mother Mary V. Piccin (d. 2024). As their only child, Kimberly took care of both her
parents at the end of their lives, coordinating their care and ensuring their every need and final wish be fulfilled. She deeply respected her family traditions and insisted that the surnames Fiasconaro, Contrera, and Korpon also be cited in her obituary.

Kimberly was born on July 29, 1966 in Detroit, MI. She moved between cities and different schools for most of her childhood, following her father's work as a tire salesman to Kalamazoo and Sterling Heights, MI, Phoenix, AZ, Sacramento, CA, and finally Naperville, IL. Settling in Naperville during Kimberly's high school years, her parents remained in this area for the rest of their lives. Kimberly graduated from Naperville Central High School in 1984. She went on to earn a B.A. in Sociology and Philosophy from Marquette University where she met several lifelong friends. In 1991, she earned a Masters degree in Social Service Administration from the George Warren Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis, developing job readiness programs for Grace Hill Neighborhood Services and the Employment Liaison Committee.

After graduating, she moved back to Chicagoland to join the Association House of Chicago, located at Damen and North Avenue, where she supervised services to families experiencing distress and involvement with the child welfare system. There, she met her future husband Chuck who was then a consultant to the team as he completed his doctoral degree in psychology. Upon meeting Kimberly, Chuck was immediately taken by her self-confident approach and dedication to her work. Kimberly always maintained Chuck's primary importance to her life. They began dating, fell in love, and married in 1994.

In 1995, Kimberly became a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and embarked on an extended stay with a host family in Guatemala where she refined her Spanish skills. Upon her return, the newlyweds settled into their home on Chicago's Northwest side and welcomed their only daughter, Katherine, into the world in March 1997. Four and one-half years later, they welcomed their only son, Jeremy, in September 2001.

Kimberly continued her career offering help to troubled youths at Metropolitan Family Services, counseling women experiencing abusive relationships and coordinating transitional housing alternatives for women and children at Sarah's Inn, and fighting to end homelessness as a program supervisor and developer at The Catholic Charities of Chicago.

Entering the new millennium, Kimberly took significant breaks from her career to be present for her daughter and son as a devoted mother. During this time, Kimberly deepened her faith and became increasingly involved at St. Bartholomew Church and School, attending Sunday Mass with her family, serving on the School Board and Parish Council, and beginning her role as a perennial "Art Mom" at the school. She shared with young people her love for art and architecture, specifically highlighting the works of Andy Warhol, Vincent Van Gogh, and Frank Lloyd Wright.

Remaining an active supporter of her children through their high school and college years, she returned to her career in earnest working in hospice programming first with Seasons Hospice and then with other smaller privately funded programs. She coped remarkably well with highly challenging circumstances counseling families facing the impending death of a loved one. She demonstrated impressive grace and poise in these circumstances. She also worked particularly with kidney dialysis patients for a time demonstrating a calm, positive presence for persons facing such great stressors. These experiences all coalesced in her final career move to become a therapist for patients in an outpatient medical setting at DULY, Inc. Kimberly felt at home in this experience as she felt respected for her experience by colleagues and she took joy in clients taking their own positive steps forward with her support and steady hand. She regretted becoming ill and being unable to continue her work. She fought cancer and wants everyone to know she did not succumb; she fought through to the end. She passed to the next life at home, as per her request, with family close to her and her hospice team supporting her. We are grateful for the medical care provided by Edward Hospital Oncology and hospice care provided by Angel Grace Hospice.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Robert Bellarmine/Mary Undoer of Knots Catholic Church at 4646 N. Austin in Chicago, IL at 10am on Friday, April 10.

The final interment of her cremains will be scheduled at a later date at St. Joseph Cemetery in River Grove, IL.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Kimberly's memory to Sarah's Inn, Hephzibah Children's Association, PANcan, or Sisters of Charity Seton Hill, supporting causes close to her heart. Kimberly will be remembered as a treasured friend, a loving wife and mother, and a trusted helper to those in need. Her legacy of kindness and dedication to improving the lives of others will continue to inspire all who knew her.