Christine M. Cucci

Christine Marie (Bell) Cucci, 69, passed away on the morning of Wednesday, August 14, 2024. She was born on March 3rd, 1955. Adopted from Patras in Greece when she was 22 months old. She was adopted by America, Naturalized and proud of her Citizenship from an early childhood age. She was endeared to her lifelong parents Marie (Sabo) and Jack W. Bell. She felt very blessed by her Sabo and Coffman families, and by being raised a Bell. Ever grateful and feeling dearly loved every day by Jack and Marie, Chris respected and treasured her “true parents” as she called them, and years later, she cared for them with integrity and grace.

Chris is survived by her brother, Stephen; her daughters, Tina (Raymond) and Suzzie; and her grandchildren, Mary, Alexander, and Angelo; as well as many nieces, nephews, and friends. She completely adored her big brother Steve and was so proud to be his little sister. Her favorite social pastimes included: talking with her girl friends over a cup of coffee, making lifelong friends anywhere she went, taking her kids to the playground, driving to her local errand spots, volunteering at PTA functions, and dancing with her husband at weddings or her church’s hall events. She also enjoyed simply texting, from a flip-phone, just the word, “Love” …

Awaiting Chris in Heaven are her loving parents; her long-time husband, Artie; dear one Father John Duranko; and many family and friends whom she loved so dearly.

From the beginning, Chris had a West Side Story meets The Sound of Music meets The Notebook, crazy-about-each-other romance with her sweetheart “Arturo”. Chris was a faithful Orthodox Christian, and lived the Beatitudes (please look them up, they’re beautiful). She always cried in an offset pew during Paschal (Easter) church services. She was prayerful and humbly devout.

Her caregiving career began at Rest Haven in the 1970s. She later became a phlebotomist at Palos Community Hospital, where she thrived for over 45 years. Chris has been well-remembered by Palos staff for her fast-paced walk, providing delicious Breadsmith to her co-workers, and going that extra mile for all patients she saw. “She had the most compassionate heart and was a loving soul to all.” She lived a complete, yet simple life for herself because she truly took care of so many others, and gave selflessly. Sincerely a person who would rather give than receive; Chris always had kind words to say to someone, a trinket or an embroidered hand-towel to give to someone, an actual sweatshirt off her back, or holiday bell bracelets right off her wrist. (Shout-outs to all those who were ever given an already scratched-off lottery ticket that she already knew had won!) Most comfortable wearing her scrubs so she would always “have pockets” for things, she also proudly owned being “the bag lady” as she was the one to ask if you needed anything when you were out-and-about; she just might have it for you.

Always with her WBBM newsradio station on, a daily crossword puzzle in progress, she loved relaxing on her front porch while looking at the flowers in her safe haven, and drinking her McDonald’s coffee. Chris loved feeding birds and nature, and cared for all animals. She also enjoyed when she could keep a solid garden, and loved sharing the fruits of her labor.  Chris absolutely loved becoming a mother. She loved zoo trips, nature hikes, playgrounds, and recitals with Tina and Suzzie.

In recent years, she lived for her children as well as her grandchildren. Most memorably making up special songs for her granddaughter Mary, Chris was always the true spirit of Mary Poppins to all children whom she loved. She enjoyed walking alongside her grandson Alex to school. She was always excited to surprise her grandson Angelo with the latest Hot Wheels race cars. They each will not soon forget their grandma always handing them plastic baggies full of change for their piggy-banks.

Well, when you see an individual ordering a McDonald’s senior coffee, black, with two creams on the side, perhaps you’ll think of Chris Cucci, and maybe send a happy thought our family’s way. Or, if you ever observe a lil-o’-lady in a Speedway parking lot, dramatically gesturing to “live long and prosper” as she desperately tries to impress her young grandsons that she can give the Vulcan salute without first preparing her hands together–perhaps you won’t give an eye-roll, but indulge and join in the fun that a random family is having! Or, if you ever meet anyone in your day-to-day life who walks or looks a little different than what you’re used to, or who looks like they have been ‘kissed by an angel’, think twice, nay, think three times, instead, that perhaps you just might have met a real angel on earth yourself. For true beauty is found within.

Thank you to all her loved-ones who figured out her true identity and loved her so much. Chris had not the heart of an orphan; she was a child of God, and always had a heart of gold.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 22nd from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Palos-Gaidas Funeral Home, located at: 11028 SW Hwy, Palos Hills, IL 60465. Funeral Friday, August 23rd 9:00 a.m. until time of Mass 10:00 a.m. at Sts. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Palos Park. Interment Holy Sepulchre Cemetery.