Carmela P. Cascio

Carmela P. (Gaziano) Cascio, 81, Rockford, passed away on Sunday, March 30, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on August 23,1943, in Rockford, the daughter of Serafino and Rose (Conti) Gaziano. She married Angelo V. Cascio on April 30, 1966, at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Rockford and they remained married for over 50 years until his death in January of 2019.

Carm was a Rockford native, graduating from Muldoon High School. She first worked as an Executive Secretary at Barber Colman for 14-1/2 years, then as a Senior Loan Officer for Heritage Credit Union for 31-1/2 years, and then as a legal secretary at her sister’s law office for 15 years up until her recent illness.

Carm’s faith was very important to her, and she was involved as part of the Ladies of St. Bernadette, the Senior Association of St. Bernadette, and held many offices in the Ladies Auxiliary, in addition to being a head usher and St. Bernadette’s 2017 Catholic Woman of the Year. She also loved going to the casino, making Italian cookies which were a favorite of many, and was an excellent seamstress.

She is survived by her daughter, Mary Terese Cascio; her brothers, Joseph L. Gaziano (Jacquie Lewis), and Angelo M. Gaziano; her sisters, Theresa B. Gaziano-Steffan (Raymond Steffan), and Mary J. Gaziano; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins; and her treasured dogs, Luca and Rosa. She was predeceased by her parents; her husband, Angelo V. Cascio, her in-laws, Luca and Frances Cascio, and her sister-in-law, Jane Gaziano.

A Funeral Mass will take place on Thursday, April 10, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Bernadette Catholic Church, 2400 Bell Ave., Rockford IL, 61103, with visitation before Mass from 9:00 a.m.-10:45 a.m. Entombment to follow at Calvary Catholic Cemetery Mausoleum. Memorials may be made to the family. To share memories and condolences online, please visit, www.fitzgeraldfh.com.