Modene Rucci

Modene Rucci

Modene Rucci, 98, of Sugar Grove, IL, and formerly of Mt. Prospect, passed away peacefully on September 15, 2025, surrounded by the love of her family.

Born August 11, 1927, in Dresden, TN, to John and Elsie Cooper, Modene lived a remarkable life grounded in resilience, love, and devotion to family. She and her two brothers worked the tobacco fields as children, helping their family during the hardships of the Great Depression. Her stories from that time--her father riding horseback to pick her up from school, and wearing scissors around her neck to cut tobacco worms--shaped a woman of grit, warmth, and humor.

Her family later moved to Chicago in hopes of building a better life. There, during WWII, Modene worked on a factory assembly line, installing radio dials in aircraft. After the loss of her brother James, who was killed in action, her patriotism and determination only grew. Rumor even has it she and friends appeared in a morale-boosting calendar for the troops.

It was in Chicago that she met Frank Rucci, a sailor from Connecticut. After a year of exchanging letters during his deployment, Frank returned from Japan to propose. They married on July 4, 1947, and began their life together in Connecticut before eventually settling in the Chicago suburbs to raise their children, Fran and Corey.

Modene was a dedicated homemaker and an exceptional cook--her famous spaghetti and meat sauce was unparalleled. She and Frank shared a love of travel, visiting 48 states and even Germany to see their grandchildren, with frequent Vegas pit stops to play the slots.

In 2012, they moved to Sugar Grove to be near family. After Frank's passing a year later, Modene continued to live just blocks away from her children and grandchildren, eventually moving into Prairie Point, where she made wonderful friends, including her dear pal Corie.

Modene was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, Jimmy and Eddie Cooper; and her beloved husband of 66 years, Frank.

She is survived by her daughter, Fran (Jerry) Adams of Sugar Grove, IL, and son, Corey (Tammy) Rucci of Southlake, TX. She was a proud and loving grandmother to Dani (Dwayne) Miller, Bryan (Cassie) Adams, Corey (Ariana) Rucci, Ryan Rucci, Alyssa (Scotty) Belmont, and Jeff (Sydney) Rucci. Her legacy lives on in her eleven great-grandchildren, Sami, Jessi, and Jake Miller; Addy and Riley Adams; Lilliana, Isabella, and Hudson Rucci; and Emma Belmont and Olivia Rucci.

She will be deeply missed and forever remembered for her wit, kindness, and the unshakable love she gave her family.

Visitation will be held Friday, September 19, 2025, from 4–7 P.M. at The Healy Chapel, 370 Division Dr., Sugar Grove.

Funeral Mass will take place Saturday at 10:00 A.M. at St. Katharine Drexel Catholic Church in Sugar Grove, with Fr. William Etheredge officiating. A private entombment will follow at Resurrection Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to stjude.org, boystown.org, or a charity of your choice.

For information, call 630-466-1330 or visit www.healychapel.com to share condolences.