Cecilia Parato

Cecilia (nee Iacoviello); age 92; loving wife of the late Domenic Parato, mother of Anthony (Sandra), Connie,and Sandy (Jeremy); deeply loved Nonna to Alex, Jimmy, Jamie, Julian, and Gabriella. Cherished sister of the late Michael Iacoviello, Anna (Iacoviello) Laudadio, Giovanna (Iacoviello) DeLiso, and Rosa (Iacoviello) Lepore, beloved aunt to many nieces and nephews; caring neighbor and friend to countless people.

Born in Mola Di Bari, Italy, Cecilia quickly became known as a storyteller. She collected stories and won hearts, because she was fierce and funny and always showed her love in her actions. In 1957, she journeyed 17 days by ship to finally reach America. This is where the stories she loved to tell began. From seamstress to assembly line worker, no job was ever too close or too far, too small or too big, but her greatest achievement was always through her acts of service to others. With her strong faith and savvy sensibilities, Cecilia dreamed her life bigger and her heart grew with it.

A caretaker in every regard, she selflessly devoted herself to taking care of other people, always putting others before herself. The sacrifices Cecilia made for her family translated to infinite selflessness with each and every person she has cared for—this care always came through her love of food. Morning, noon, and night, one could find her picking, peeling, boiling, sautéing, cutting, mixing, frying until her fingers literally became numb, in the end making the most delicious dishes that she readily prepared, cooked, and shared with others before putting a fork or spoon to her own mouth.

She fed everyone in her family both immediate and extended--she fed neighbors, friends, coworkers, and any landscaper or worker who ever entered her home. She prepared a meal for anyone who needed it, and if Cecilia had it her way, starvation would be replaced with surplus. Her refrigerator was like her heart, literally and metaphorically, it was always full. This was her ultimate love language and her lifeline. She fed all the animals who graced her yard. Old bread crumbs were never just for baked clams, but also for the bevvy of birds, dozens of deer, and squads of squirrels that made their way into her yard. Even wildlife knew instinctively where they could always find food.

And just as much as Cecilia loved to cook, she also loved to save a quarter, because the money she saved was so she could put money into other people’s hands whether the need was there or not. Cecilia never spent on herself, so she always had money to spend on others. She saved the treasured objects that held all her fondest memories. She saved everything because all of these things are reminders of who and what she had loved. She saved everything from cards given to clothes worn, because this is what kept her heart strong.

Cecilia was a pillar of strength who modeled what it meant to be a good person with a big heart. Being a caretaker was a cornerstone of her character. Now her heart is in God’s hands—the greatest caretaker of all. Imagine the stories she will share in heaven.

Visitation for Cecilia will take place on Wednesday, September 16, 2026 from 3:00 pm until 8:00 pm at Cumberland Chapels 8300 W. Lawrence Ave. Norridge, Il. Funeral mass Thursday, beginning at the funeral home at 9:00 am and then proceed to St. Rosalie’s Church 6750 W. Montrose Ave. Harwood Heights, Il for 10:00 am Mass. Entombment will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery in River Grove, Il. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, nationalbreastcancer.org.