Arlene Brescia Obituary

Arlene Joyce Brescia, Quintali, born February 25, 1938 and into our Heavenly Father's arms June 30, 2025 surrounded by loved ones following a courageous, albeit brief fight with ovarian cancer.
Arlene had also battled pulmonary fibrosis since 2006 and through participation in a successful clinical trial followed by generous donations to cover the cost of medication, was able to exceed her personal goal to see all eleven of her grandchildren graduate from high school - the two youngest in 2023.
Arlene grew up in Berwyn, IL and attended Nazareth Academy in LaGrange Park. After graduating with honors in 1956, Arlene went on to nursing school at St. Charles Hospital School of Nursing and began her career as an ER nurse in 1959 at MacNeal Hospital in Berwyn. Following a change to Palos Hospital in Palos Heights, Arlene transitioned to Downers Grove Family Practice where she worked until her retirement in 2008.
Arlene married Donato Brescia in 1964, and lived in Westchester, IL before moving to Darien, IL where they began raising their four daughters and after a one year stint living in Frasier, MI in 1978, returned to Darien and remained throughout their lives. Arlene always made time for others and volunteered in the community as a Brownie Leader, Girl Scout Leader, to Meals on Wheels, Holiday Meals and always donated to veteran's organizations and blood drives. Arlene was a founding parishioner at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Darien, IL and taught: CCD; 1st Communion; Confirmation; RCIA; and was also a Eucharistic Minister for many years.
Arlene was an avid sports fan throughout her life, beginning with attending Bears' games with her father as a young girl at Wrigley Field in the 1940's to riding the train to South Bend with her friends to watch Notre Dame football games to making a point of always attending as many games, matches, events, and competitions for all her grandchildren beginning in their elementary school days through high school and making road trips to see them in action in college as well.
Arlene was preceded in death by her husband Donato Brescia and is survived by her sister Sally Bala; daughters: Susan Kukanza; Donna (Michael) Clark; Lori (John) Chevalier; Janice (Steven) Maher; and grandchildren: Daniel; Allison; Patrick (Cassie); Andrew; Brian; Nicholas; William; Matthew; Grace; Margaret; and Joseph.
A visitation will be held on Monday, July 7, 2025 from 3:00 – 8:00 pm at Modell Funeral Home, 7710 S. Cass Ave., Darien. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, July 8, 2025. Prayers will begin at 9:30 am at the funeral home. Guests may begin arriving at the funeral home at 8:30 am. A procession to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, 8404 S. Cass Ave., Darien, for a 10:00 am Mass will follow prayers. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Arlene's name to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation https://www.pulmonaryfibrosis.org
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