Concetta "Connie" T. Aarhus

Concetta “Connie” Angileri Aarhus, passed away on December 21, 2023. Born on February 14, 1932, in Chicago, the daughter of Jerry Angileri Sr. and Grace Constantino Angileri. She has been a Rockford resident since 1937. She attended St. Anthony Parochial School, Muldoon High School, and West Senior High School, class of 1950. She married Robert S. Aarhus on October 26, 1974. She had been employed as a legal secretary and bookkeeper for over 50 years, retiring in 2001. She was a charter member and a past President of the Winnebago County Association of Legal Secretaries. She was named “Legal Secretary of the Year” in 1966. Member of St. Rita Catholic Church, active with the Bible Study, Annunciation Prayer Groups, taught Religious Education and was on the Stewardship Council. She also served on the Respect Life Committee, Elizabeth Ministry and Spiritual Growth Commission, Catholics Returning Home, RCIA, Rockford Deanery Evangelization Forum and on the organization team of Why Catholic Program. She Received the St. Rita “Woman of the Year” award in 2007. She was a social member of Rockford Lithuanian Club and the Ladies Auxiliary, serving as treasurer. The West High Class of 1950 held a special place in her heart. She served on the reunion committees, and cherished the lasting friendships she made with many of her classmates. Connie developed a love for traveling and went on several trips and pilgrimages with the church across Europe and the United States. Family was very important to her and her grandchildren were her biggest joy.

She is survived by her loving son and daughter-in-law, Ronald A. and Tina Massetti; granddaughter, Madaline G. Massetti and Angelo L. Massetti; brothers, James Angileri of Beloit, WI and Michael (Mary) Angileri of Roscoe; sister, Nora Angileri of St. Marys, KS; sisters-in-laws, Florence Angileri and Mary Angileri; several nieces, nephews, and cousins. She is predeceased by her husband, Robert; parents, Jerry and Grace Angileri; and brothers, David, Robert, and Jerry Jr.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, December 29, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Rita Catholic Church, 6254 Valley Knoll Road, Rockford, IL 61109. A visitation will be prior to mass starting at 10:00 a.m. Entombment in Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family to be distributed among various charities. Special thanks to the All Lifes Solutions staff at Independence Village for caring for Connie during her stay.