Mary B. Siciliano

It is with extreme sadness but a grateful heart her daughters share that Mary "Bennie" Siciliano (nee Monestere) passed peacefully on December 8, 2023, nine days after her 97th birthday. Mary was a current resident of Batavia, formerly of Tinley Park and Dolton, Illinois.
Waiting at the gates of Heaven to welcome Mary was her late husband of 76 years, Carmen, her son Frankie Siciliano, and all her family that passed before her, most recently her sister, Maryanne Mayeaux, just last month. She is survived by her daughters, Joyce (Jeffrey) Andringa and Gail (Paul) Grazian. She will be dearly missed by her Grandchildren, Carmen "Cork" Siciliano, Jason (Ninnette) Nofzinger, Gina (Paul) Curtis and Anthony Grazian. Her Great Grandchildren, Michaela, Vincent, Francesca "Frankie" and Raphaela "Ellie"Curtis and Nicholas "Nico" and Nolan Nofzinger will miss blowing her kisses on all their video calls. She is also survived by her "baby" brother, Nat (Judy) Monestere, the last of her 10 siblings, one loving Siciliano sister-in-law, Delores Charnota, and generations of nieces, nephews and cousins.
Mary's strong work ethic began as a child working in her family's strawberry farm in Hammond, Louisiana. At 14, Mary moved to Chicago to babysit her brother's family, who lived across the street from the Siciliano family. Through his sisters, Carmen met Mary and they married on August 5, 1944, while he was on a two-week leave from the Army during WWII. Mary was one of the original "Rosie the Riveters" working in a wire factory making radios for the war effort, and it was there she met lifelong friends.
Mary and Carmen loved road trips across the U.S. As a young couple they belonged to a traveling motorcycle club. They took their family on an amazing 3-week trip from Chicago to California following Rt 66, stopping in every state along the way. But their most fun and memorable trips were always visiting Mary's loving family in Hammond, Louisiana.
Mary retired as a salesperson from Kmart in Dolton, IL in 1986. She and Carmen spent their golden years in Phoenix, AZ, with retired Chicago cousins and friends. They would spend summers with their daughters in Illinois and returned to home and family for good in 2010. Together Mary and Carmen enjoyed ten happy years at Heritage Woods of Batavia. Mary was very active at her assisted living home. She was a volunteer "best buddy" to new residents, a member of the Wii Bowling and Cornhole Teams, and even went downstate to Springfield to compete in a singing and dancing talent show.
When Carmen passed in 2020, Mary was welcomed to Batavia Rehab and Healthcare Center where she happily remained until her passing. Mary was an active member of the American Legion Auxiliary, Gold Star Post #1102. She was also a great Chicago Bears football fan and so fun to watch Sunday games with as she cheered them on. Of course when they'd lose, she and her family would all become New Orleans Saints fans. But mostly, Mary was the most devoted wife and caregiver to her husband Carmie, amazing Mother, Nana, Great Nana, Aunt, Cousin and unconditionally kind friend to all. She was a such a gentle person and never said an unkind word about anyone.
Mary was extremely spiritual and a devout Catholic. She regularly attended Mass at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Batavia, where she and Carmen renewed their vows on their 75th wedding anniversary. Mary had the gift of prayer and a special connection to the Virgin Mary so it was extremely fitting God called her home to Heaven on the Holy Day of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
In lieu of flowers, please donate your precious gift of time to visit someone in a nursing/care facility. Gather your family in Mary's honor for a game of cards, bingo, a board game or a trip to the casino to share your memory of her. Everyone always told Mary that she was the luckiest person they ever met. If they only knew that we were the lucky ones to have this extraordinary woman in our lives for 97 years.
The family extends their extreme gratitude to the entire amazing staff at Batavia Rehab and Healthcare Center, along with the compassionate team of nurses, aides, clergy and administrators at Unity Hospice. A special thank you to Fr/Dr Cesar Pajarillo and Chaplin Tess Beyer for their frequent visits with Mary and her family. Mary's Daughters' are beyond grateful to their Mother's physician, Dr. Rabia Naveed, for her generosity of time, professionalism, responsiveness and many years of personal care and kindness of their parents.
Mary's Memorial Mass and Celebration of Life is planned for the Spring of 2024. (Arrangements and details will follow.)