Maria 'Mia' Mele

Maria ‘Mia’ Mele, 88, at rest March 16, 2026. Loving mother of Michael Mele and the late Carlo Mele. Cherished daughter of the late Michael and Rita Grisolia. Very beloved grandmother and great grandmother of many children in Park Ridge. Dear sister of Salvatore Grisolia, Alfonso (Rosa) Grisolia, the late Concetta Grisolia, the late Mario (Raffaella) Grisolia, the late Marco Grisolia, and the late Matilda Grisolia. Fond aunt and great aunt of many. Visitation will be Friday, March 20, from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Cumberland Chapels, 8300 W. Lawrence Ave, Norridge. Funeral services will begin on Saturday at 10:00 a.m. at the Cumberland funeral home, and then proceed to Holy Virgin Martyrs Parish for Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. Entombment will follow at All Saints Mausoleum. Info: 708-456-8300

Maria was born on May 25, 1937, in the small town of Celico, in the Calabria region of southern Italy, nestled in the foothills of Sila National Park—a vast forested highland of ancient pine and beech trees and alpine lakes. She grew up working on her family farm, cultivating abundant produce, including fruit trees, tomatoes, squash, chestnuts, kiwis, lettuce, honey, and beans—and her family continues to tend to this land to this day. She marked many of her life’s milestones at the historic Chiesa di San Michele Arcangelo, first built in the 9th century, where she was baptized, confirmed, and married. She brought humor, perseverance, patience, and care to all she did, creating beauty by hand—from delicious meals to intricately crafted clothing and linens.

At 19, Maria emigrated to Chicago, where she raised her two beloved children with the support of a close-knit community of Italian-American mothers. Her generous, uplifting, and charming spirit quickly drew people to her, and she built a wide circle of chosen family in Illinois. In Park Ridge, she helped raise many children who remain deeply grateful to call her Nonna Mia. She was a constant, loving presence—cooking her famous pasta, sauce, focaccia, beans, and fries; crocheting cherished blankets; and never missing a performance, graduation, or wedding. She delighted in each of her great-grandchildren, including one proudly named in her honor.

Maria endured profound hardship with remarkable strength, including the loss of her son, Carlo, long nights working factory shifts as a young mother, a lymphoma diagnosis in 1992, and chronic pain in her later years. Through it all, she met life with love, humor, and courage. Her unselfconscious laughter often left everyone, including herself, in tears. With the support of her loving son, Michael, she was able to stay at home through the end of her life, where she continued to grow vegetables, attend mass, crochet for her great-grandchildren, and question the choices of Wheel of Fortune contestants.

Over her lifetime, she returned to Italy 15 times, maintaining close ties with her family through weekly phone calls. On her final visit in June 2025, she was surrounded with love by siblings, nieces, nephews, cousins, and lifelong friends, and she savored breathing the air of Celico one last time. Her 90 year old brother, Salvatore, never missed a chance to make the 90-minute drive to the airport to pick her up and drop her off. Maria lived with extraordinary love, courage, decency, faith, and care. Those who love her now carry forward her legacy, striving to honor the remarkable example she set.

Rest in peace, Mia. Ti vogliamo bene.