Nelly Bonugli Obituary

Maria Nelida Bonugli, 95, of Northlake, Illinois, passed away peacefully on July 2, 2025, in her home, surrounded by her loving family.
Maria, affectionately known as Nelly, was born on October 8, 1929, in San Miguel de Tucumán, Argentina, to Vicente and Gelse Medici. Creative from a young age, she graduated from college with a Master's in Art Education.
In 1959, Nelly moved to Chicago, Illinois, with her husband, Bruno Bonugli, and opened a pizzeria in Lyons, Illinois. Nelly remained a talented artist and later became an interior display designer at Marshall Field & Company in their iconic State Street location. A devout Catholic, Nelly was a parishioner of St. John Vianney Catholic Church for over 20 years. In her spare time, she was an avid reader of mystery novels and enjoyed cooking for her family and friends.
Nelly is preceded in death by her husband, who passed away on June 9, 1989. She is survived by her three children, Nanette, Gelse, and Bruno, her sons-in-law, David and John, her grandchildren, Bianca and Ethan, and Bruno's partner, Helen.
Visitation will be held from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, July 9th, at Pedersen Ryberg Funeral Home, 435 N York St, Elmhurst, IL. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 10th, at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, 46 N Wolf Rd, Northlake, IL, officiated by Fr. Luke Winkelmann. Interment will follow at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Belmont & Cumberland Avenues, River Grove, IL.
Arrangements in care of Pedersen Ryberg Funeral Home. For information (630) 834 – 1133.