Pauline "Polly" Cicero

PAULINE (PHILIPPI) CICERO     1925 - 2022

Pauline "Polly" Cicero, 97, passed away peacefully at home on October 17, 2022. Born June 11, 1925 in Casey, IL, the daughter of Charles and Lydia (Short) Philippi. She was Valedictorian of her high school class of '43 and earned a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana in 1947. Also in 1947, Polly married Mathew P. Cicero in Champaign. They were married for 69 years until Mathew passed away in 2016.

Polly was predeceased by her husband; son Carl W. Cicero in 1985; daughter Margaret (Nick) Culich in 2004; and grandson Mathew P. (Lilja) Cicero II, in 2017.

She is survived by her four living children: Paul R. (Nancy) Cicero, John E. (Marilyn) Cicero, Janet L. (Rocky Lynch) Cicero, Lenore A. (Stephen) Balogh; seven Grandchildren: Megan E. (David) Butman, Rachel C. Culich, Craig R. Cicero, Mathew J. Cicero, Allison (R. Davis Moore) Cicero Moore, Jacob S. Balogh, Mercer S. Cicero, and seven Great-Grandchildren.

Family always came first for Polly. She was a truly great Mother and consummate Grandmother spending many days and nights making her Grandchildren feel special and loved. Whenever a Grandchild came for a visit or a sleep over, she always catered to the interests of that child always treating them as the most important person in the world. She is already greatly missed and was very loved by all of her immediate and extended family.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, October 26, 2022 at Fitzgerald Funeral Home, 1860 S. Mulford Road, Rockford, IL 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. with services at 11:30 a.m. Burial at Calvary Catholic Cemetery following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to the family for the Carl W. Cicero Scholarship Fund at NIU Law School. Share condolences online at www.fitzgeraldfh.com