Pia Maria Pasquesi

Pia Maria Pasquesi
March 28, 1943 – October 5, 2024

Highland Park, IL – Pia Maria Pasquesi, age 81, passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 5, 2024. Born in Riolunato, Modena, Italy on March 28, 1943 Pia embraced life with grace and warmth and was an adored wife, mother, nonna and friend to many.

On June 6, 1964, Pia married her husband, Evo Ettore Pasquesi, at their local church, the Santuario di Monticello, in Pievepelago, Modena, Italy. Shortly after their marriage, the couple packed their belongings and boarded the S.S. Cristoforo Colombo from Genoa, Italy to Ellis Island, New York for their 10-day trip to to America. They settled in a small Italian community of immigrants in the Highland Park/Highwood area, where they built a loving home and raised their family.

Pia was known for her devotion to her family, creating a nurturing environment filled with love and laughter. She had the first of her five kids in 1965. Italian was the language in the home, where her husband’s parents Sante and Carola Pasquesi also lived. Determined and ambitious, Pia attended night school classes at Highland Park High School to learn English. Her family kept growing and she remained committed to her learning, taking more courses in English, calligraphy, sewing, and gardening. Her spirit of lifelong learning was evident in everything she did.

Her culinary skills were unmatched, and she delighted in preparing meals that brought everyone together. Sunday family dinners at the house were some of her most treasured moments, as were numerous baking and pasta rolling afternoons with her grandchildren. An independent seamstress, she took pride in her work and shared her skills with those around her. She created “Pia’s Ideas,” where she showcased her amazing talent of creating handmade gifts at local craft fairs. She lovingly stitched and knitted quilts and blankets for each of her children and grandchildren, which have been deeply cherished.

Pia enjoyed spending time with friends, particularly dancing, singing and playing canasta, a passion so beloved that she had a coffee cup declaring, “Pia is my name, Canasta is my game.” Her vibrant personality and joyful spirit will be dearly missed by all who knew her.

Pia’s passion was always her family whose lives she touched with her loving kindness, laughter, and unwavering support. Beloved wife of 60 years to Evo Ettore, loving mother to Frank (Vicki) Pasquesi of Lake Forest, Louis (Joan) Pasquesi of Highwood, Mark (Amy) Pasquesi of Lake Forest, Joe (Kelly) Pasquesi of Lake Forest and Caroline (Michael) Hauser of Evanston. She was the devoted Nonna to 16 beautiful grandkids: Micaela, Jessica, Gianna, Luke, Ava, Olivia, Daniel, Michael, Nicholas, Sofia, Amelia, Juliette and Charlotte Pasquesi, Lina, Grace and Chiara Hauser. Dear sister of Luciana (Domenico) Gaetano and Paolo Biagi both of San Michele, Modena, Italy. Preceded in death by her cherished mother and sister, Lina Lenzini Biagi and Adriana Lenzini Galli. Her legacy of love and family will live on in the hearts of those she cherished.

Public visitation will be Friday, October 11, 2024 from 4:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. at  Seguin & Symonds Funeral Home, 858 Sheridan Road, Highwood. A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, October 12, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Church, 770 Deerfield Road, Highland Park. Rev. Timothy O'Malley, celebrant. Interment will follow at Saint Mary Cemetery, 1073 Ridge Road, Highland Park. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider contributing to the Evans Scholars Foundation in Pia’s name c/o the Evo & Pia Pasquesi Family Endowed Named Evans Scholarship, (wgaesf.org) which provides caddies with full scholarships to attend college and which each of her four boys were fortunate to earn. 

Though we are heartbroken that you departed too soon we are comforted that your light will continue to shine in the hearts of those you loved. Rest in peace, Nonna Pia.

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