Rosalia Talluto Palazzolo

Rosalia Palazzolo (nee Talluto) the matriarch of a family she built on a foundation of grit, spirt to succeed, and boundless love, passed away peacefully surrounded by the warmth of her large family. She was 90 years old.

Born on March 4, 1935, in Cinisi, Sicily, Rosalia embodied the spirit of her homeland: vibrant, resilient, and deeply rooted in tradition. In 1971, she made the courageous journey to the United States, fueled by a singular, selfless mission: to provide her children with opportunities she never had.

A Legacy of Strength

To know Rosalia was to know true strength. She was a "tough lady" in every sense of the word—possessing a physical fortitude that matched her unbreakable spirit. Whether navigating the challenges of a new country or the demands of a busy kitchen, she met every obstacle with a sharp mind and an iron will. Her life was a masterclass in perseverance.

The Heart of the Kitchen

Rosalia’s love was best expressed through her cooking. She turned her passion into a community staple as the owner of Cesar’s Restaurant in Des Plaines, Illinois. To Rosalia, feeding people wasn’t just a business; it was an act of service and a language of affection. The aromas of her kitchen were the backdrop to countless family memories and the bridge that connected her Sicilian heritage to her American home.

Her Greatest Joy

While she took pride in her work, Rosalia’s heart belonged entirely to her family. She lived for her children and grandchildren, watching with immense pride as they flourished in the land she chose for them. She was their North Star—a constant reminder that with hard work and family by your side, anything is possible.

She leaves behind a legacy of flavor, strength, and an enduring lesson: that a life well-lived is measured by the love you leave behind and the sacrifices you make for the next generation.

Rosalia, reunited in eternal rest with her beloved husband, Giacomo, and their cherished son, Francesco.

Born to the late Nicolina and Salvatore Talluto, Rosalia lived a life centered on faith, family, and devotion. She was also preceded in death by her dear sister, Francesca Talluto Ventimiglia. She is survived by her loving sisters, Anna, Nicolina, and Giuseppina, as well as many treasured nieces and nephews who will forever hold her memory close to their hearts.

Rosalia was the proud and devoted mother of five children: Giovanna (James), Nicolina Alfano (Giuseppe), Josephine Leyva, and G. Salvatore Palazzolo (Julie).

Her legacy continues through her many beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Giovanna (James) and their children: John (fiancée Hillary) and their son Michael; and James and his children Christian, Dominic, Luca, and Audriana Paul (Joanna), Paul (Joanna) and their children: Angelo, Vasilios, and Leonidas, Robert, Rosa Linda. 

Nicolina Alfano (Giuseppe) and their children: Phyllis Lubinski (Ken) and their children Sophia and Peter; Rosolie; Peter (Caralyn) and their children Gioia and Giuseppe; and Frankie Best (Andrew) and their daughter Sarafina.

Josephine Leyva and her children: Danielle, Jacqueline, and her son Jovanni.

G. Salvatore Palazzolo (Julie) and their children: Jack and Matteo.

Rosalia’s greatest joy was her family. She was the heart of every gathering, a steady source of strength, wisdom, and unconditional love. Her warmth, generosity, and unwavering devotion to those she loved will be deeply missed but forever remembered.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Rosalia’s memory to the National Spine Health Foundation.

Her love lives on in the generations she nurtured, and her memory will remain a blessing to all who knew her

Visitation for Rosalia will take place on Tuesday, February 24, 2026 from 3:00 pm until 9:00 pm at Cumberland Chapels 8300 W. Lawrence Ave. Norridge, Il. Funeral will take place on Wednesday beginning at the funeral home at 9:30 am with final visitation and prayers and then proceed to St. William Catholic Church for 11:00 am Mass. Entombment will follow at All Saints Cemetery in the Indoor Mausoleum, Des Plaines, Il.