Mary Charlene Svanascini, born July 28, 1941 has passed away at the age of 79. Charlene was born in Vincennes, Indiana to Robert and Georgette Billings. Her parents moved to Bloomington, Indiana when she was two, and Charlene remained here for her youth, graduating from Bloomington High School in 1959. She was very popular, belonged to many clubs and activities and always worked while going to school. She lived the beautiful, picturesque 1950s American life, an era which might be as perfect as the world has ever known.
She was married in 1960 to her beloved Norbert Svanascini, and had their fist child (Elizabeth) before moving to Chicago in 1962, which would become her home for the rest of her life. Charlene enjoyed being a housewife, and with the birth of her second and third children (Michael and Anthony), she loved and supported her family as a dedicated mother and wife all of her life.
Not only was she a great housewife, but within that “housewife” label, she was a great cook, seamstress, and kept an immaculate house. Charlene was totally devoted to her family, and was an integral part of anything that the family was involved in. Charlene worked at American Eagle with her Husband, Sons and Grandsons for over thirty years. Charlene and her husband enjoyed traveling, and had the good fortune to have traveled extensively all over the world. In this world there are few people that could be described as just a real nice person; Charlene was exactly that.
Charlene is survived by her husband , Norbert Svanascini, her daughter Elizabeth Ann Gustafson of Park Ridge , IL, her sons Michael Svanascini, of Western Springs, IL and Anthony Svanascini of Park Ridge, IL, and their families, including her 9 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. Charlene is also survived by her brother Ronald Billings from Rochester New York and Another brother Steve Billings and Her sister Karen Anderson both from Bloomington Indiana.
In lieu of flowers, please take someone you love to a nice dinner, and thank the Lord for the gift he gives you every day, The Present.
Charlene’s father in law Arnold had a favorite saying: “enjoy every day, it’s later than you think”;
It’s true, learn how to squeeze the joy that everyday gives you, no matter what.
You see, it really is a present, and it comes to you every day, so enjoy this gift.
Death is not the greatest loss in life,
the greatest loss in life,
Is what dies within us while we live.
-- Norman Cousins
A Memorial Visitation will be held Thursday, July 29, 3-9 p.m. at Ryan-Parke Funeral Home, 120 S. Northwest Hwy., Park Ridge. Memorial Mass Friday, 10 a.m. at St. Paul of the Cross Church, Park Ridge. (Mass can be viewed via live stream at www.spc-church.org). Interment Private.
To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Mary Charlene (nee Billings) Svanascini, please visit our Tree Store.