Frances Parisi Obituary

Parisi, Frances Mae (Phillips) Often joked that her tombstone would read: "Here lies Sam's wife." But she was every bit the individuala trailblazer in her own right and woman of faith and strength. Born on a family farm near Hooper, NE, she was the youngest of five daughters. Frances earned a registered nursing certificate as a young adult. After World War II, she landed a job at South Shore Hospital in Chicago and made her way from Dodge County to Cook County, trading in the western plains for big-city life. A hospital doctor set her up on a blind date with his brother, Sam Parisi, a WWII veteran of the U.S. Army Air Forces. The couple began dating, often heading to Comiskey Park to cheer on the Chicago White Sox. They married in 1948, and she was the love of Sam's life for 65 years. Frances, 93, of Crestwood, died December 5, in Palos Heights, IL. During an age of stay-at-home moms, Frances juggled career and family. She worked as a surgical nurse at South Shore and later Little Company of Mary Hospital, while raising eight childrenall delivered by Sam's brother, the late Dr. Frank Parisi. Frances managed the family home, first on Chicago's South Side and for 25 years in Oak Lawn. Her husband owned and operated Sam's Food and Liquors in Lyons, now a third-generation, family-run business. The Parisi children can recall their mom, when they were growing up, with a needle in one hand and a frying pan in the other, giving out inoculations in her kitchen while at the same time cooking up supper. She was known for cooking delicious meals, especially her signature pan-fried chicken. Frances knew the act of gathering together for a meal was a key ingredient to a close-knit family. And for her, faith and family came first. She converted to Catholicism and was a devote follower of the faith. She was a fierce defender of her children as they grew up and served as the neighborhood's unofficial medical adviser. Her nursing legacy extends to daughter, Linda Parisi and granddaughter, Jillian O'Connor, who are both nurses, and to granddaughter, Kathryn Parisi, now in nursing school. In 1990, Frances and Sam moved to Dunedin, FL, where they became expert game and card players, and served as the consummate hosts to family and friends. They returned to Chicago last spring, moving into The Pointe at Kilpatrick in Crestwood, where they made many new friends. Frances's greatest legacy is her family. She was preceded in death by her parents; four sisters and daughter, Gail (Ed) Holcomb. In addition to husband, Sam and daughter, Linda, she is survived by daughter, Jan (Rick) Zika; sons, Clifford, James (Darlene), Samuel (Colleen), Dan and Tom (Laura); 15 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren (with one on the way). Visitation 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday at Thompson and Kuenster Funeral Home, 5550 W. 95th St., Oak Lawn. Funeral Thursday 8:30 a.m. from Thompson and Kuenster Funeral Home to St. Gerald Church, 9310 S. 55th Court, Oak Lawn for Mass at 9:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donation to charity of your choice. 708-425-0500