Claudia Stompanato

Claudia (nee Greco) Stompanato (aka Claud, Maga and Grandma Cookie), 94, passed away peacefully in her home on January 25, 2021 (born December 8, 1926). Claudia was predeceased by her husband, Carmen (d. 1971); parents, Susanna and Lawrence; and her brother, Robert. She is survived by her daughters Dia (Ed) Weil; Susan (John) Cherry; Joan (Angelo) Fosco and her grandchildren Stephanie, Dominic, Jessica (Joe) and Jack (Rory), and her great grandchildren, Addison and Kinsley. She is also survived by her dear sister-in-law, Marion Greco and her best friend of 60 years, Audrey Sotos, whom she talked to every day, and many nieces, nephews and close relatives of the Greco, Del Principe, DiBuono, Trotta, Fenton, Fosco and Weil families. To call Linda Ramos a caregiver does not capture the professionalism, love, friendship and thoughtfulness that she exhibited every day and for which we will always be grateful.
Claudia attended Notre Dame de Chicago grammar school, St. Mary’s High School and Fontbonne College in St. Louis. Claudia married at 23 as many women of her generation did. While having to fit in the cultural mold of the 50’s, she always retained her own unique character and excelled in everything she did. One manifestation of that were her fantastic cooking skills always doing it without fanfare and still preparing a six course Easter Dinner for 40 at 86. Her gravy recipe which came down from her mother is still being used to great acclaim to this day by Joan. She was a great seamstress (Butterick patterns), Halloween Costume maker, gardener, baker and cake decorator. She was an amateur actress performing at the Theatre on the Lake and the Circle Theatre. Claudia was an elegant dresser, gracious hostess, loved the Chicago Blackhawks and dressed up to go to Marshall Field’s every Saturday afternoon in the fifties and sixties. All of this, while carrying the profession and full- time job of a mother.
When her husband become ill in the late 60’s, she uncomplainingly went to work and found a great job at a time when women weren’t in the work force and was promoted through her company attaining an executive rank. When it came time for her eldest daughter to go to college, she not only did not suggest that she stay home and work and help with the household but sent her to college with a great wardrobe of dresses.
Claudia had the twinkle in her eye of her father and the grace and class of her mother. Clare De Lune was her favorite piano piece, Long Ago and Far Away her favorite song, she sunbathed with vinegar and oil, and loved Degas, Bette Davis and Clark Gable, lilacs, martinis and her red Studebaker, and her favorite time of day was the afternoon when all the work was done. Claudia loved mysteries, danced to Chubby Checker’s Twist, and performed a water ballet with her childhood friends Jean and Ansel in Careyes, Mexico, made family dinners each Sunday with the Greco’s and in 2011, during an interview, when asked if there was anything she needed that she did not have- said no.
Claudia was unique, thoughtful, strong, hard- working and creative. Claudia will always be remembered for her deep dedication to leading by example, instilling the values of hard work and family loyalty and her belief in not judging others and most remarkably, never ever complaining.
A Funeral Mass will be held at Ascension Church, 808 S. East Ave., Oak Park, IL at noon on Saturday, January 30 with graveside internment at Queen of Heaven Cemetery immediately following.
Special thank you to the wonderful care and professionalism from Beacon Hill Lombard and Angels Grace Hospice. Donations may be made in Claudia’s memory to: angelsgracehospice.com/donate
“Death is the side of life that is turned away from us” Rainer Maria Rilke
Rest in Peace, Claudia.

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