Andree DeFalco Obituary

My mother, to have known her was to love her and to be raised by her, was to know love and learn to give love. She taught me pride and how to keep it in check. She is everything that is good in me. I learned from her all the intangibles, not only by her words, but by her deeds, the importance of family, giving even when you have nothing left to give, caring when you are down and out, and most importantly not to judge. She was my best friend, confidant, and mentor. I do not miss her because she is still with me, but I will miss talking to her and the wisdom she imparted to me. I hope to instill in my children and grandchildren the true unconditional love for life and family she has left with me.





Her favorite son

James DeFalco p.s. I thank my dad for my sense of humor

Mémère, there is too much I want to say. The deep sorrow that I felt for your loss was more overwhelming than anything I have experienced in my short life thus far. There was and still is so much that I wanted to share with you and you will be there with me in spirit when I finally experience these things. I will always remember our conversations with my broken French, your heavenly crapes, and always somehow managing to remember when I broke/lost something but could never remember the name of a restaurant! Whenever I have a piece of dark chocolate I will always think of you and just like the flavor of the "bon bon de chocolate" the memories shall too be bittersweet. A bientôt Mémère

Dear Mermer It was hard to let you go but you and grampa are probably swing dancing. I remember when their was a terrible terrible storm and I woke up in the middle of the night so I ran into your room and as if you knew I was coming you said "lay down by me." As the saying goes "Perhap they are not stars but openings in heaven to let the love of are lost ones to poor down upon us to tell us they are happy and not alone. . . ."



Love your grand-daughter Jacqueline

Dearest Aunt,

I have so many memories of times we shared with Uncle Danny I don't know where to start. My first memory of you is at Grandma's house 711 Miller on the day you arrived from France, I think I was about 7 years old, and didn't quite understand why everyone was waiting for uncle danny to get home from the train station with this french girl, I didn't know what to expect. Where was this place France? Every time a car came past the house we would run to the window to see if it was this french model that we were expecting. Finally they were home, I remember thinking she is just a girl. I remember asking you what comes after 29 - 30 your face is dirty, you thought your face was dirty and tried to wipe it clean and we laughed together. I don't know why I remember that, but from that time on we had something special between us.



Your loving niece

Anna

Dear Memere,

I know you will never leave me, and that you are always at my side watching me grow day by day. I will always remember the shopping sprees we would have, then lunch, and we would have so much fun talking and laughing over absolutely nothing. That whole day no worries or any time schedule. I could talk to you about any thing and you would listen, you were always there for me. I will treasure theses special moments and memories as long as I live and remember you always.

Your loving granddaughter,

Gabrielle

Gram, I have been one of the fortunate ones with whom you have spent a lot of time with, and enough memories (memere-ories) to fill this whole guest book. Sitting on top of the washing machine in your kitchen while you did the dishes (before putting them in the dishwasher). Seeing the Lincoln sticking our of our driveway all the way from our bus stop every Friday after school. Stopping at Dicola's for smelt and scallops on the way home. Holding up the Rainbow cone employees because we were always there in groups of 10 five minutes before they closed. Gertie's and Gioradano's on Saturday nights. Falling asleep in your lap while you watched "Dallas". Starting your dining room pass through on fire making taco shells (sorry to gramps who had to spray his plants with a fire extinguisher). Grocery shopping at night, taking a half an hour to get the best bacon for Saturday morning breakfast. Eating the bread in the car on the way home. (Gee these are all about food, aren't they!) Why stop now, shirt boxes of chocolate croissants with coffee- good anytime of day. Kiddieland and Rocket park (I know you didn't intend to forget us there)! Blowing my first red light on 95th and Southwest Highway. Loving the crowds at the Taste of Chicago. Locking my keys in the trunk because we were so excited to try our first Krispy Kreme in Oak Park. Sleeping over with me the night before I got married. (Yes, we were late) Packing my honeymoon suitcase properly (she could pack for other people). Seeing you love my babies. Watching Manno bite Scott through his suit on Thanksgiving. "Finishing" the bottles of wine. Teasing you about the "skin" on your coffee. Finally getting the chance to take care of you for a change. Never saying no. You are in my dreams now. I miss you everyday. Thank you for these memories and a million more. In my heart forever, Odette Andree

Memere, I miss you so much! I remember when I wouldn't wake up in the morning and you would take the covers off and crack my toes and I couldn't pull away so I would have to get up. I loved when you called me Anushka. At first you would call me that when I was in trouble (just like my Auntie Anna) then you just called me that instead of Anna. I liked it when you called me that because I felt like I was special. I love you and I know you are happier in Heaven but I miss you a lot.

Love, Anushka (Anna)

Dear Memere, I know you are having a wonderful time in heaven and seeing grandpa and dancing with him. I think you have a better life there. I love and miss you very much. Rose-Mary

At the risk of offending my other aunts, I have always called Andree my favorite. And fortunately I had the opportunity to tell her that in a phone conversation last year. I loved Andree dearly and have many fond memories of my time with her and Uncle Danny as a youth in Chicago. Andee was usually late to any family gathering, but I always looked forward to her arrival because she lit up the room with her smile and wonderful, comforting and genuine personality. We were entertained by listening to her French accent - sometimes not understanding what she said.



I only regret not having the opportunity to spend time with her over the past years. She kept in contact with my Mom and was always supportive. My sisters and I are very thankful that our dear Aunt came to spend time and help my Mom in her last days. I can think of no better person to be around in a time of need.



Thank you for so much, Auntee, and rest in peace. Les

Aunt Andree,

I have so many wonderful childhood memories of You and Uncle Danny. Summers spent at the Settlement House - Broken milk bottles on the wall. The things we did as kids that only You and Uncle Danny could have put up with. Keep the boys in line until we are all together again.

Love Valerie

DEAREST GRAM,

TO KNOW YOU WAS TO LOVE YOU. I MISS YOU MORE THEN ANY WORDS COULD EXPRESS!! THE TIME WE SHARED WILL ALWAYS BE THE FONDEST MEMORIES IN MY HEART, THE ONLY COMFORT I HAVE IS KNOWING YOUR NOW SEEING GRANDPA AND SOMEDAY I TOO WILL BE WITH AGAIN IN HEAVEN

YOUR FAMILY IN FLORDIA(TRACI,BOBBY,CORY,LUKE,BELLA

,DANNY,DIO AND JIM)

Karen has faith and I have hope.

Together we have incredible luck.

Barb and John live upstairs and we got married at Andree's bon voyage party.

Dearest Aunt,

I have so many wonderful memories of you, Uncle Danny and all of us "children", and I believe those memories have sustained me during the most difficult moments. You taught me that families are not just parents and siblings but all of the wonderful aunts, uncles and cousins that surround you.

I will be eternally grateful for your loving care of my mother in her last days, I am sure that kind of devotion is lost with your generation.

The only comfort I feel in your passing from this world , is my belief that you are all together once again. And in a better place.

You will stay forever in my heart.

all of my love, Janis

Dear aunt andree,

you were my american aunt, and thanks to you I have discovered such a beautifull country and meet so many wonderfull members of your family.

You allways be in my mind like a courageous and joyfull woman, Your grand-nefew Tom has your energy and will come to meet the family as soon as we can, I just regret to haven't do this before.

Be sure that I will keep in touch with your family like you ever want to.

Your french nefew Thomas

Magali, Tom and Thomas Besnard , Rouen , France

To the DeFalco Children (&theirs)

Words truly escape me, losing the French woman does not sit comfortably with me; Belle-Mere seemed to be eternally young. Despite the arthritis, I was convinced that her cantankerous nature and French pomposity produced a distinct form of invincibility. Always caring, doing, she was the ultimate caregiver. No sense of time or schedule, but a miraculous woman none-the-less.

My mind slips easily to the charming chaos of Christmas Eves Past. Etched into my memory banks are visions of the production line for Lasagna conducted in orderly disorder, punctuated with lots of laughter, the traditional contamination of the sauce with my tie, wine tasting and stolen bits of cheese or sausage or anything else that was laying around. She always seemed to have a clear vision of how she wanted things done, and by gum, that’s the way it was going to be done, come hell or high water. If Lasagna is made in heaven, I hope that God is planning to do it the way Andrée wants it done. I wonder if God has ever been thrown out of the kitchen?

There was always a sense of life…of energy…of spontaneity…of unqualified acceptance of anybody who happened by or who was dragged in by a member of the family. She and your Dad formed a unique team. They were perhaps the most “real” people I had ever met.

I miss your Dad and I already miss her. Your Brother-in-law,

Dear MeMere,

If only I had known that our dinner together was to be our last...so much I wanted to say to you. You showed so much grace that night, smiling through the pain and befriending yet another shy great grandchild.

Thank you for making decisions for me when I was a baby, and for being there for Colette. It is because of you that I am the person I am today. So, therefore it is I who thank you for letting me meet you, your beloved husband, and wonderful family. You have given so much to this world, and your memory will live on.

You are loved and missed.

Love, Wendy

Mom, This is the hardest thing I've ever had to go through and now I know why because unlike every other low in my life your not here to help me through. Thanks mom for showing me how to love and care for others, you were truly one of the most courageous and humble people I will ever know. See you in heaven. Love, Laura

Mom,

Where do I start you where always there for me no matter what I needed. I will miss having lunch with you,laughing and shareing the little things. Your love will live on in each one of your children grandchildren and great grand children. The generations to come wil know of you as your story will be share with them. I Miss You Mom

Dearest Auntie Andree,

Thank you for being such a loving and careing Aunt. I'll miss you.

Love Marie

My sweet Memere,

Thank you for another kiss, another story read, another sleepless night with a small child kicking you in the bed. The patience, the devotion, the love only the luckiest know was mine because of you.

Take comfort, mothers of children in heaven, know now there is another kiss, another story.....

I love you, I love you Memere.

Andree: I basked but for a brief moment in the light of your smile and was warmed by your voice for yet a blink of time, but the joy of you sustains my hope to someday hear your voice again. Peace and joy in the coming light. John

Mom, You taught us all what loving really was both by how you and dad loved each other and how you loved us. You are my strength, there are no words to express how I miss you. When the heartbreak of losing you is vivid I think of you now able to dance with dad with joy in a body that no longer knows pain and he looks at you with clear and loving eyes again. Thank you for giving me life and showing me a wonderful life.