Rena Neri

Rena L. Neri nee Rosignoli, 92, passed away on Friday, June 4, 2021. Beloved wife of the late Casto Neri; cherished mother and best friend of Paula (the late William) Hennessey, Robert, and Karen (Patrick) Lenehan; loving and proud grandmother of David (Andrea) Hennessey, Christopher (Athena) Hennessey, Matthew Lenehan and Andrew Lenehan; devoted daughter of the late Luigi and Maria Rosignoli; dear aunt of Dennis and Michele Neri; fond cousin of Marisa Retek, Mara Bougadis and Carla Luczak. She also leaves behind a large extended family in Italy.

Born in Kenosha Wisconsin on May 3, 1929, an only child of Italian immigrants, Rena learned to speak English in school. After her parents settled in an Italian neighborhood in Chicago, Rena made many friends. Known as the “Italian Queens” their friendship lasted a lifetime. Rena graduated in 1947 from The Immaculata High School. After spending one year at DePaul University, Rena began a career as a dental assistant for a dentist on Michigan Avenue. She married Casto John Neri on August 6, 1949 at St. Bonaventure Church in Chicago. After taking time off to raise her family, she returned to her career until her retirement in 1994.

Rena lived her life to the fullest. She was beloved by many and welcomed all with open arms. She was happiest cooking and serving a big meal to her family seated around her table. Rena was also an accomplished pianist and her children remember their home filled with the music of their father on the accordion and their mother on the piano.

Rena enjoyed traveling. She and Casto bought timeshares in Cancun where she spent many happy days with family and friends. She loved spending time with her cousins and friends in Florida and traveled several times to Italy to visit family. Rena exuded class. She enjoyed shopping for clothes and jewelry and always had her hair styled perfectly.

Rena instilled many values in her family. She was a woman of strong faith. She knew that God gives each one of us unique gifts and she recognized that in her children and grandchildren encouraging them to use their gifts in pursuit of careers. Rena’s advice to her children was always, “Try your best.”

Rena was a loving, strong, tenacious, determined woman. When she became ill two years ago, she pursued every avenue available to her. She never gave up until finally God came, wrapped His loving arms around her, and brought her home.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations in Rena’s memory to the following charities. Donations can be given directly to the charity or to the family for disbursement: JourneyCare Foundation, Attn: Camp Courage/ Child Grief Program, 405 Lake Zurich Rd., Barrington, IL 60010, St. Rita of Cascia Band, ℅ St. Rita of Cascia High School, Attn: Eileen Spulak, 7740 S. Western Avenue, Chicago, IL 60620, Animal Welfare League, 10305 Southwest Highway, Chicago Ridge, IL 60415

Visitation Tuesday June 8 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Cumberland Chapels, 8300 W. Lawrence Ave., Norridge. Funeral Wednesday, friends and family are to meet directly at St. Eugene Church, 7958 W. Foster Ave, Chicago for Mass of Christian Burial at 1:00 p.m. Entombment to follow at the Resurrection Garden Mausoleum, St. Joseph Cemetery. Funeral Info: 708-456-8300 or www.cumberlandchapels.com.