Barbara W. Cesaretti

Barbara Winifred Cesaretti, nee Conway, age 94, of Lombard, Illinois. Loving mother of Mary (Ralph) Traficanti, Paul (Gina) Cesaretti, Anthony (Cathy) Cesaretti, Daryl Cesaretti and the late David (Holly) Cesaretti; dear daughter of the late Mary, nee Tuohy, and the late Frank Conway; devoted grandmother of Lauren (Ben), Megan (Mike), Anna (Scott), Matthew, Nick (Amber), Gina Lee, Joey (Sarah), Jaymie (Jonathan), Jessica (Francisco), Dominick, Colleen (Bill), and Connor; great-grandmother of 18; proceeded in death by her 8 siblings; aunt of many nieces and nephews.
At a very young age of 9 years old, Barbara would experience WWII.
All of these memories and experiences made a huge impact on her and she passed all these stories and songs down to her family. Her favorite was singing Danny Boy.
She learned all the military songs while attending St. Genevieve's grade school. She would tell us about the Victory Gardens, donating blood, and using ration books.
Graduated from Providence High School in 1949.
Experienced the outbreak of Polio with her sister Mary contracting the disease.
Worked at Motorola and was crowned the queen of the o ce.
Worked for the United States Government at Camp Cook in California. She would say, "I
ordered tanks, guns, ammunition, and airplane parts".
Worked in our family restaurant, Pizza Palace in Elmhurst, IL and was called "Pizza Mom".
President of the Council of Catholic Women 1969-1970, Woman of the Year 1972, Second
grade Religious education teacher preparing the children for their first Holy Communion.
She loved drinking tea and would read our tea leaves, making great pies, shortbread and Irish Soda Bread.
If you ever visited her home, she had a statue or a picture of the Good Shepherd in every room. She felt the good shepherd would guide her.
Memorial Gathering, Friday July 18th, 2025, 9:45 AM until time of Mass at 10:30 AM, at St. Alexander Catholic Church, 300 S. Cornell Ave, Villa Park, Illinois. Interment Private. In Lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to the Montini Catholic High School Fund. Funeral info: steuerlefh.com or (630) 832-4161.