Theresa Iasparro

Theresa Iasparro was welcomed into eternity on January 13, 2013.
Theresa, the youngest daughter of ten children, was born and raised in the predominately Italian south side of Rockford, Illinois.
Despite family poverty and her mother Catherines death at a young age, Theresa and her siblings worked together to support their father, Nicholas Pumilia, in his various business ventures, most notably his Italian grocery general store located at Jefferson and Winnebago Streets.
Theresa witnessed each of her four brothers go off to war and return again to become successful businessmen.
She considered her sisters to be her best friends.
Theresa met Brooklyn Kid Michael Iasparro at a Camp Grant dance, where he was stationed as an Army Sergeant Major, and they fell in mutual love at first sight.
The duo married in New York and, although she enjoyed her short time living on the East Coast, her heart remained in Rockford with her siblings.


nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; Theresa and Michael returned to Rockford where they raised their three children, Elizabeth, Theresa and Dominic, to become wonderful, caring adults who have, in turn, instilled Theresas traits of
selflessness, kindness, and generosity within their own children.
In its heyday, she and Michael loved to go to the Wagon Wheel where they dined and danced into the wee hours of the morning.
Summer weekends meant picnics at Levings Lake, not with grilled hamburgers and hot dogs, but with homemade pasta and meatballs.
Most Sundays were spent surrounding the kitchen table to enjoy Theresas incredible meals that she had begun to prepare at 5:00 a.m.
Theresa was happiest when everyone was together and content in her humble home full of great love. For forty years, Theresas darling Michael would fill her life with adventures, humor, and affection while she illuminated his days with her exquisite heart, unwavering devotion, and magnificent soul.

nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; Theresa lived a colorful life full of laughter and saw great amounts of history and events occur in her lifetime.
A progressive thinker ahead of her time, she was wickedly smart despite having no formal education to her name. She loved to watch political news and debates and always had an intelligent, thoughtful critique to offer.
Theresa possessed a rare work ethic and was a thoroughly modern working mother amongst a generation of housewives.
She logged long hours in the shoe department of the East State Street JCPenney in downtown Rockford. She was also a Cook in the West High School Cafeteria when lunches and baked goods were made from scratch on a daily basis.
Theresas varied interests included sewing, crocheting untold numbers of afghans, yard work, making rosaries, attending mass, baking and cooking; especially, her Sugo, famous Sicilian Cucidati and Italian chocolate cookies.
She was an extraordinary cook, carver, and master of flavorings.
She was the Matriarch of the family and, until the very end of her life, unconditionally placed the needs of all others before herself.
Her love for her family, especially her adored daughter Betty, and greatgrandsons Richie and Michael, was as deep as the sea and profound as her beauty.
Theresa, because you will live in our hearts forever, you will never die.

Survivors; Children, Theresa (Richard) Gambini and Dominic (Pamela) Iasparro; Grandchildren, Richard (Lindsay) Gambini, Elizabeth (Ryan) Monahan, Michelle Gambini, Michael and Cathleen Iasparro; GreatGrandchildren, Richard Gambini and Michael Monahan; Predeceased by her parents, Nicholas and Catherine; Husband, Michael; Daughter, Elizabeth Iasparro; Brothers, Vito, Joseph, Albert, Frank and Infant brother Joseph; Sisters, Rose
Leggio, Carrie Hawley, Mary Lassandro, and Leona Cannova; Granddaughter, Michelle Iasparro.

Funeral Mass 11 a.m. Thursday, January 17, 2013, at St. Anthony of Padua Church, Rockford, Illinois with the Franciscan Friars officiating. Visitation from 9 a.m. until 10:45 at St. Anthonys Church. Burial in Calvary Cemetery. Express online condolences at www.fitzgeraldfh.com.nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;