Eleanor A. Vascellaro

Eleanor A. Vascellaro, 88, of Rockford, passed away August 15, 2019 at Independence Village. Born July 15, 1931 in Ottawa, IL, the daughter of Oren “Brick” & Pauline (Patterson) Rising. She graduated from Ottawa Township High School, class of 1949. She graduated from Northern Illinois University with a degree in elementary education in 1953. After graduation she took a teaching position in Rockford, District 205. Her career spanned 43 years, teaching at PA Walker, Haskell, Sovereign, Lathrop, Franklin, Henrietta, Bell School, Maude Johnson, and White Swan. She retired from teaching in 1996. Most of her career was in first grade and the Title I reading program, being one of the first Title I reading teachers in District 205. If Mrs. Vascellaro sounds familiar, you may have had her as a teacher and she may well likely taught you to read.
In 1955, Ellie married Michael Vascellaro, and they had three children: “Little” Mike, Ann and Kim. “Big Mike” passed away unexpectedly in 1982 at the age of 51. During that difficult time Ellie stood as a rock for her family and became a living reminder to her children to soldier on no matter what.
Ellie also leaves behind her pride and joy, her six grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Each one of them had a unique and special bond with Nana, and they are the incredible people they are today because she loved them.
Besides spending time with her family, Ellie was a voracious reader, often reading two or three books a week. She practiced what she preached and believed that you could go anywhere in the pages of a book. Ellie also loved shopping and had an incredible sense of style. No matter her age or health she was never too tired to shop. Her grandchildren often teased her that they never saw her wear the same outfit twice.
Ellie is survived by her children Mike (Gini) Vascellaro, Ann (Paul) Maffioli, Kim (Brent) Lewis, her grandchildren Gina (Marcus) Misenheimer, Mike (Dawn) Maffioli, Ana (Brian) Perdue, Mark Maffioli (Carly Maki) Maffioli, Tyler Lewis (Lindsey Strainis), Madison Lewis, and great grandchildren Mikayla Woodcum, Max Maffioli, Leo Maffioli, Ellie Misenheimer and Marin Perdue. She is also survived by her brother Dr. James Rising, sisters-in-law Josephine Caruana and Lillian Manalli, special cousins Jean McCarthy and Joan Schwartz, as well as numerous nieces and nephews and friends.
Ellie is predeceased by her husband Michael Vascellaro, her parents, Brick and Pauline Rising, her sister Donna Poshard, and brothers-in-law Sam Vascellaro, Angelo Caruana and Victor Manalli, sister-in-law Rosalie Vascellaro.
The family would like to thank the staff at Independence Village for the care they gave Ellie in the last few weeks of her life and a special thanks to the staff of Northern Illinois Hospice for all of their care and support.
Ellie was always an educator and wanted people to learn, so she donated her body to the Anatomical Gift Association of Illinois.
To celebrate Ellie’s life and legacy, a gathering of family and friends is planned for Saturday, August 24, 2019 from 2:00-6:00 pm at Mauh Nuh Tee See Country Club, 5151 Guilford Road, Rockford, Illinois. In lieu of flowers, donations will be accepted for an educational memorial to be determined at a later date.
Arrangements have been made by Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, 1860 S. Mulford Rd. Rockford, IL 61108. Send online condolences to www.fitzgeraldfh.com