Marie A. Bocconcelli, nee Guzzo, age 85, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family, Beloved wife of the late Henry; loving mother of Gina (Bob) Krol, Julie (Jay) Sikorski, Lisa (Frank) Lagger and Dominic (Jody) Bocconcelli; cherished Nan of grand-sons Robert, Joseph, Alexander, Ian, Michael and Dominic, Jr.,granddaughters, Anna Maria, Gianna and Natalia and great grand son Jack; a dear sister to Katherine (Pat) Dimaggio and Pat (Nancy) Guzzo and aunt to many nieces and nephews.
Born Marie Agnes to Hank and Betty Guzzo on August 23, 1936, she grew up in the Italian neighborhoods on the west side of Chicago. She was a proud Hull House kid who attended St. Pius grade school and Our Lady of Sorrows High School. After graduation, she perfected the model’s “t-stance” at the Saba School of Modeling and throughout her life, never failed to strike the perfect pose.
Marie met the love of her life her life, Henry Bocconcelli, at a dance one winter evening where, smitten by his enduring charm and ability to cut a rug, she left her phone number in the frost on the window of his car. They married May 10, 1958. Maria was queen to Henry’s king, and she didn’t mind being acknowledged as such. Together they enjoyed 28 years of wedded bliss. In an extraordinary example of selflessness, abiding love and courage, she was by his side as he died Christmas Eve 1986.
Together they raised their family , three daughters and a long awaited son. Maria was a stay-at-home mom until her children were old enough to attend school and then took a job at Hinsdale South High School in the Student Center. Marie served there for 15 years, largely responsible for tracking attendance, making it impossible for any of her children to cut class without getting caught.
Widowed at just 50, Maria pulled herself up by her bootstraps and pursued a life as a woman of independent means. She began a career at Naperville, Illinois based Imprint Enterprises and enjoyed a successful career there not only in sales, but as chief coffee maker, chili cook off coordinator and Halloween party contest winner. She retired from Imprint in 2015.
Visitation Tuesday, September 7, 2021, 8:00 until time of prayers 9:00 a.m at Gibbons Funeral Home, 134 South York Road, (1/2 mile North of Saint Charles Road), Elmhurst. Mass of Christian Burial 9:30 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Entombment Queen of Heaven Catholic Cemetery, Hillside. The family requests all unvaccinated visitors please wear a mask. For funeral information please call 630-832-0018 or www.gibbonsfuneralhome.com