Eileen Marie Caratini

After a 39 year wait, Eileen Marie (Kennedy) Caratini joins her loving husband, the late John Martin Caratini. Born on July 18, 1942 to the late John and Helen Kennedy, she was raised on the Southside of Chicago. In 1965, she married John and started a family. She is survived by Caryn Boyle (Mark Warner), Mark (Jori) Caratini and Elizabeth (Rich) Buerger. She was the cherished "Gram" to Sean Boyle (Jake Childers), Megan (Jordan) Sullivan, Andrew Caratini (Andrea Kunczt) and Emma Caratini. Loving sister to the late John (late Mary), Dennis (Mary Jane) and the late Robert (Hollis) Kennedy. Beloved Aunt and Great-Aunt to many.

Eileen graduated from St. Kevin's Grammar School and Lorretta High School. Together with John, she owned and operated John Caratini Trucking. She worked for many years at both Little Company of Mary Hospital and Chicago Conditionaire. She also volunteered with BEDS on Thursday nights. After moving to Indian Head Park in 1996, she became a long-time Wilshire Green board member.

A two-time breast cancer survivor, Eileen was a dedicated supporter of related charities. She became an avid traveler after getting her passport in 2008 to join her granddaughter Megan on a school trip to Greece. From there, she fell in love with exploring the world-visiting Ireland, taking multiple European cruises, and filling her passport with stamps.

She cherished time with her grandchildren and was always ready for a road trip, especially if it meant sharing an adventure with them across the country.

Eileen always loved the beach and the water, believing deeply in their goodness for the soul. She celebrated her Irish heritage with joy, especially through Irish music. Some of her favorite simple pleasures included sausage and green pepper pizza, chocolate cake donuts, Garth Brooks sing-alongs, and fall football weekends.

She dedicated much of her life to showing up for people-especially friends and family who ever needed anything. Remember her by doing the same.

In lieu of Flowers please donate to brainup.ngo. Cancer research was a cause close to her heart-one she supported with deep gratitude and unwavering hope for continued advancements.

To remember Eileen, please take a walk, be kind to others, do something unexpected for someone else, laugh loudly, and smile whenever you think of her. Honor her with a cheer's-whether you're sipping a sweet Manhattan or savoring a lemon-fluff cupcake.

Visitation 3 to 8pm on Tuesday, December 2nd at Hallowell & James Funeral Home, 1025 W. 55th St., Countryside. Chapel prayers 9:15am from the funeral home to St. Cletus Parish, LaGrange for a 10am Funeral Mass on Wednesday, December 3rd. Burial to follow at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Alsip.

Additional Information: 708-352-6500