Catherine Frances Sims

Catherine Frances Sims (née Filomendi), 94, of Willow Springs and formerly Indian Head Park, IL, passed away peacefully on Monday, February 23, surrounded by her loving family.

She was born on March 5, 1931, to Frank and Antonette Filomendi, proud Italian immigrants who came to Chicago from neighboring towns in the Cosenza province of Italy. She was raised in Chicago's Roseland neighborhood with three adoring older sisters-the late Mary (late Primo) Sicher, the late Carmela (late Ben Migliaccio) Filomendi and Frances (late Bernard) Koppers-in a home she described as filled with love, laughter and song (in fact, they were so often heard singing that the Filomendi household became affectionately known to their neighbors as the "singing house"). Inheriting her father's work ethic, she held various jobs from age 14 (the first of which was at the Roseland Theater) and subsequently worked as a legal secretary at a prominent Chicago law firm, but none as important as her devotion to raising her family.

She was the beloved wife of the late Melvin Sims, with whom she had enjoyed almost 70 years of marriage until his passing. Together they raised five children-the late Melvin (Judy) Sims, the late Greg Sims, Mark (late Connie) Sims, Karen (David) Schmiege and Christian (Laura) Sims-initially residing on the North side of Chicago before building their home in Indian Head Park, where they lived for almost thirty years.

During their long marriage, Catherine and Mel traveled all over the world with their family while growing the business he founded, Sims Business Systems, and shared a passion for new culinary experiences. To her family, however, nothing compared to her cooking. A true Italian matriarch, she was an incredible cook (relying solely on taste and her memory of the family recipes handed down by her mother) and loved nothing more than feeding her family. Her grandchildren-Ryan (Brianne) Schmiege, Jessica (Michael) Lee, Alyssa (Phillip) Shilling, Justin Sims, Shawn Sims, Sara (Jesus) Chavez and Elizabeth Sims-will never forget the Sunday dinners with her spaghetti and meatballs, the Thanksgiving stuffing they've been unable to replicate, or the homemade soups she brought over whenever they were sick.

In her later years, she and Mel retired to Willow Springs, where she loved listening to Andrea Bocelli, cheering on the Cubs (notwithstanding her South-side roots) and, most importantly, watching her great grandchildren grow. To Ryder, Sawyer, Griffin, Rowan, Ava & Amelia, she will always be remembered as their most cherished "GG". Her greatest pride in life was her family and she lived every day of her life for them.

She was a woman of unparalleled strength, beauty and generosity. The three generations of children she raised will feel the weight of her absence every single day, but will honor her memory by carrying on the many traditions she blessed them with. Every time they make her baccalà on Christmas Eve, tell their own children and grandchildren the importance of family above all else and retell their favorite stories of her wisdom, fortitude and unconditional love, her legacy will live on.

Family and friends will gather for her Funeral Mass at 11:00 am on Wednesday, March 4 at St. John of the Cross Church, 5005 Wolf Road, Western Springs, Illinois. Interment Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Alsip. Arrangements entrusted to Hallowell & James Funeral Home, Countryside.