Maria Gyorgy

Maria Gyorgy (Miceli) passed away peacefully in her sleep on March 25, 2025. She was born February 18, 1947 to Nunzio and Santa Miceli in Sicily, Italy. She immigrated to America at 14 with her parents, and two brothers and soon found work as a seamstress in Chicago. A few years later Maria and her family lived in an apartment that was rented from a man who was destined to be the love of her life, John. John was known to say when he first saw Maria it was love at first sight. However, Maria’s father did not approve of their courtship because John was not Italian. Knowing they were soulmates, John learned Italian from her brothers and soon asked, in Italian, for Maria’s hand in marriage. Her father agreed and they were united in marriage on February 17, 1964 in Chicago.

They shortly moved to Skokie to begin their family and welcomed their daughter, Eva Ann. Maria stayed home and enjoyed being a wife and mother. As well, she later helped at Niles North in the food service department serving students with a smile. Serving a good meal was always a joy of hers; no one left her home hungry. It was in their retirement that Maria was delighted as she was able to move to the beach, in Naples, Florida full time. The Floridia sunshine and beach walks was where she felt at home with the love of her life. When John passed away in March 2012, a bit of Maria went with him. However, it was the joy of being a Nonna that brought her back to Illinois to help care for her granddaughters for a few years. Until, she returned to where she felt most at peace in Florida.

She is survived by her daughter Eva (Robert) Gagnepain, granddaughters Brooke Angelina and Brianna Maria, loving family and friends Though our hearts are heavy, we take comfort in knowing and find peace that she has been reunited with her beloved John, who preceded her in passing.
Their love was such a bond that all the fairytales in the world could not do it justice, and now they walk together once more.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate Maria’s life at Salerno’s Rosedale Chapels in Roselle Thursday, March 27, 2025 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. with a chapel funeral service to follow Friday, March 28, 2025 at 10:30 am. Interment at All Saints Cemetery will be private.
In lieu of flowers please make a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association. https://www.alz.org/