Angela Joan Ciulla

Angela Joan Ciulla, 89, Rockford, passed away Wednesday, August 12, 2015, at Fair Oaks Nursing Center surrounded by her loving family following a lengthy illness. She was born August 2, 1926, in Rockford, the daughter of Lorenzo and Josephine (Russo) Buttice. Angela married Joseph John Ciulla in Rockford on October 12, 1947. He passed away in Rockford on July 31, 1998. Angela worked at Nelson Knitting prior to her marriage and after raising her children worked as a sales clerk at Lillian’s on Rockton Av. She was a member of St. Bernadette Catholic Church and the National Catholic Order of Foresters. Each week she attended Adoration at St. Bernadette’s Chapel and during lent she prayed 4000 Hail Mary’s for special intention. She recited the Rosary and the Novena daily. She was a meticulous housekeeper and a wonderful cook. She cooked every night of the week, but the most important meal was her Sunday dinner she would host for her entire family. She was a devoted Mother, Nana, and Big Nana, never missing an opportunity to spend time with her family.
Survived by her son Frank (Joanne) Ciulla, her daughters, Jeannine (Lanny) Wong, JoMarie (Bob) Graceffa, and Ann (Bruce) Eshelman; her grandchildren, Joseph (Danielle) Ciulla, Nicole (Scott) Reinmann, Leslie (Jon) Oliver, Emily Green, Angela Green, Bruce Eshelman, and Cosette Eshelman; step grandchildren, Brent Graceffa, Justine (Jason) Stewart, Jennifer (Dan) Green, Nathan Holmquist, Ryan (Renae) Graceffa and Liz Wong; great-grandchildren, Dominic Reinmann, Dylan, Avery, and Joseph Oliver; step great-grandchildren, Gabe and Elizabeth Graceffa, Audrey, Hannah, and David Green.; her sister, Bess Valenti. Predeceased by her loving husband, Joseph, her sisters Ann (Frank) Merlo, Lillian (Emil) Borgetti, and Josephine (Sam) LaFasto; her infant brother, Bioggio and her brother-in-law, Walter Valenti.
Mass of Christian burial will be at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, August 18, 2015, at St. Bernadette Catholic Church, 2400 Bell Av. Burial in Calvary Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9:00 am until 10:45 am on Tuesday at the church. Arrangements by Fitzgerald Funeral Home and Crematory, Riverside Chapel. 3910 N. Rockton Av. Special thanks to the staff at Fair Oaks Nursing Center and the doctors and staff at OSF St. Anthony Center for Cancer.