Clara Theresa Lizio Melchiorre - age 82 of Summit, NJ, formerly of Naperville, IL and Fountain Hills, AZ, passed away peacefully and lovingly surrounded by her family at home on June 22nd, 2020.
The author Isabel Allende once wrote “write what should not be forgotten,” but with Clara there is almost too much to say. Born in Chicago, IL on May 5th, 1938, Clara's childhood was spent at her parents’ restaurant at 751 S. Kedzie avenue on Chicago’s westside. She attended Marquette University where she expanded her philosophy and met the love of her life, Rudolph Melchiorre Sr. Settling into a beautiful life in Naperville, Il, she gave birth to her most valued accomplishment, her children; Michelle, Anthony, Rudy and Mark. Her children were the center of her heart. With the support of her husband Rudolph Sr., Clara brought her vision of an Italian restaurant based on the energy and heart of her mother’s love of feeding the family. Clara’s has become an institution in the Chicago suburbs. Blessed are those in the fold. And Clara welcomed all into her heart. In the 90s she moved to Arizona and then in 2012 to New Jersey, but always her home was Clara’s and her many friends that loved the warmth, love, and food of the restaurant. Because food represented love. Clara spent her life loving her family, her community, and the world. We were lucky to have Clara Theresa Lizio Melchiorre and her love will live forever in all of us. Love was Clara’s mantra.
Special Clara Quotes:
● I just put my faith in a higher power.
○ Do what you can, and do it to the best of your ability!
○ I accept who the person is. Limitations and all. Find the goodness.
○ Cast your bread upon the water and it comes back sandwiches!
○ The three point plan, when with a serious illness: 1. You leave it to whatever you conceive to be greater than all of us, what it is to you, 2. You get the very best care you can get, a specialist for the specific need, 3. You go on to the next plateau and visualize all the things you want to do.
○ I’ll just keep going and you just keep going.
○ Aunt Marilyn story: She always tried to fit two hours in an hour. She cheated death twice and from that lived life fully. Once she was late and her reason was "I was driving and I saw this perfect tree. Perfect. I had to pull over the road to look at it!”
Beloved wife of the late Rudolph “Rudy” Melchiorre Sr, who treasured 50 wonderful years together. Loving mother of Michelle Melchiorre, Anthony (Andrea) Melchiorre, Rudolph “Rudy” Jr. (Dawn) Melchiorre, and Mark (Erika) Melchiorre. Adored grandmother of Arturo Melchiorre-Soto and Annaclara (Timmothy) Rafalko; Jake, Jacqueline, Jessica, and James Melchiorre; Ersilia, Michael, and Rudolph “Rudy” III Melchiorre; Jackson and Alessandra Melchiorre. Dear great-grandmother of Lillianclare Rafalko. Devoted daughter of the late Anthony and late “Mama” Celeste Lizio. Cherished sister of the late Emanuel “Willie” (deceased) (Marilyn) Lizio, Anthony (Theresa) Lizio, and Pasqual (deceased) (Patricia) Lizio. Loved sister-in-law of Virginia (deceased) (Marco) De Sario, Bruno (deceased) (Mary) Melchiorre, Mario (deceased) (Roberta) Melchiore, Mary (deceased) (Theodore) Melchiore, Ralph (deceased) (Esther) Melchiorre, Polinnia Melchiorre,and John (deceased) (Gloria) Melchiorre. She was a fond aunt, great-aunt, cousin, and loyal friend to many.
In light of current state regulations, there were no public in-person events. A private family Entombment was held at Queen of Heaven Mausoleum in Hillside, IL along with a virtual service on Monday, June 29th.
As a final gift, Clara completed her life goal of compiling all her recipes into a cookbook so her legacy of love and joy of cooking could be passed on to her family and friends. The family will hold an in-person celebration of life with the extended family and friends she loved so much once the cookbook “Cooking with Clara: Recipes of a Lifetime” is published. Please check Clara's facebook page in the next few days for the link. In lieu of flowers, donations in Clara's memory can be made to the Summit Volunteer First Aid Squad at 1000 Summit Ave., Summit, NJ 07901. https://summitems.org/
The author Isabel Allende once wrote “write what should not be forgotten,” but with Clara there is almost too much to say. Born in Chicago, IL on May 5th, 1938, Clara's childhood was spent at her parents’ restaurant at 751 S. Kedzie avenue on Chicago’s westside. She attended Marquette University where she expanded her philosophy and met the love of her life, Rudolph Melchiorre Sr. Settling into a beautiful life in Naperville, Il, she gave birth to her most valued accomplishment, her children; Michelle, Anthony, Rudy and Mark. Her children were the center of her heart. With the support of her husband Rudolph Sr., Clara brought her vision of an Italian restaurant based on the energy and heart of her mother’s love of feeding the family. Clara’s has become an institution in the Chicago suburbs. Blessed are those in the fold. And Clara welcomed all into her heart. In the 90s she moved to Arizona and then in 2012 to New Jersey, but always her home was Clara’s and her many friends that loved the warmth, love, and food of the restaurant. Because food represented love. Clara spent her life loving her family, her community, and the world. We were lucky to have Clara Theresa Lizio Melchiorre and her love will live forever in all of us. Love was Clara’s mantra.
Special Clara Quotes:
● I just put my faith in a higher power.
○ Do what you can, and do it to the best of your ability!
○ I accept who the person is. Limitations and all. Find the goodness.
○ Cast your bread upon the water and it comes back sandwiches!
○ The three point plan, when with a serious illness: 1. You leave it to whatever you conceive to be greater than all of us, what it is to you, 2. You get the very best care you can get, a specialist for the specific need, 3. You go on to the next plateau and visualize all the things you want to do.
○ I’ll just keep going and you just keep going.
○ Aunt Marilyn story: She always tried to fit two hours in an hour. She cheated death twice and from that lived life fully. Once she was late and her reason was "I was driving and I saw this perfect tree. Perfect. I had to pull over the road to look at it!”
Beloved wife of the late Rudolph “Rudy” Melchiorre Sr, who treasured 50 wonderful years together. Loving mother of Michelle Melchiorre, Anthony (Andrea) Melchiorre, Rudolph “Rudy” Jr. (Dawn) Melchiorre, and Mark (Erika) Melchiorre. Adored grandmother of Arturo Melchiorre-Soto and Annaclara (Timmothy) Rafalko; Jake, Jacqueline, Jessica, and James Melchiorre; Ersilia, Michael, and Rudolph “Rudy” III Melchiorre; Jackson and Alessandra Melchiorre. Dear great-grandmother of Lillianclare Rafalko. Devoted daughter of the late Anthony and late “Mama” Celeste Lizio. Cherished sister of the late Emanuel “Willie” (deceased) (Marilyn) Lizio, Anthony (Theresa) Lizio, and Pasqual (deceased) (Patricia) Lizio. Loved sister-in-law of Virginia (deceased) (Marco) De Sario, Bruno (deceased) (Mary) Melchiorre, Mario (deceased) (Roberta) Melchiore, Mary (deceased) (Theodore) Melchiore, Ralph (deceased) (Esther) Melchiorre, Polinnia Melchiorre,and John (deceased) (Gloria) Melchiorre. She was a fond aunt, great-aunt, cousin, and loyal friend to many.
In light of current state regulations, there were no public in-person events. A private family Entombment was held at Queen of Heaven Mausoleum in Hillside, IL along with a virtual service on Monday, June 29th.
As a final gift, Clara completed her life goal of compiling all her recipes into a cookbook so her legacy of love and joy of cooking could be passed on to her family and friends. The family will hold an in-person celebration of life with the extended family and friends she loved so much once the cookbook “Cooking with Clara: Recipes of a Lifetime” is published. Please check Clara's facebook page in the next few days for the link. In lieu of flowers, donations in Clara's memory can be made to the Summit Volunteer First Aid Squad at 1000 Summit Ave., Summit, NJ 07901. https://summitems.org/
Clara Theresa Lizio Melchiorre - age 82 of Summit, NJ, formerly of Naperville, IL and Fountain Hills, AZ, passed away peacefully and lovingly surrounded by her family at home on June 22nd, 2020.
The author Isabel Allende once wrote “write what should not be forgotten,” but with Clara there is almost too much to say. Born in Chicago, IL on May 5th, 1938, Clara's childhood was spent at her parents’ restaurant at 751 S. Kedzie avenue on Chicago’s westside. She attended Marquette University where she expanded her philosophy and met the love of her life, Rudolph Melchiorre Sr. Settling into a beautiful life in Naperville, Il, she gave birth to her most valued accomplishment, her children; Michelle, Anthony, Rudy and Mark. Her children were the center of her heart. With the support of her husband Rudolph Sr., Clara brought her vision of an Italian restaurant based on the energy and heart of her mother’s love of feeding the family. Clara’s has become an institution in the Chicago suburbs. Blessed are those in the fold. And Clara welcomed all into her heart. In the 90s she moved to Arizona and then in 2012 to New Jersey, but always her home was Clara’s and her many friends that loved the warmth, love, and food of the restaurant. Because food represented love. Clara spent her life loving her family, her community, and the world. We were lucky to have Clara Theresa Lizio Melchiorre and her love will live forever in all of us. Love was Clara’s mantra.
Special Clara Quotes:
● I just put my faith in a higher power.
○ Do what you can, and do it to the best of your ability!
○ I accept who the person is. Limitations and all. Find the goodness.
○ Cast your bread upon the water and it comes back sandwiches!
○ The three point plan, when with a serious illness: 1. You leave it to whatever you conceive to be greater than all of us, what it is to you, 2. You get the very best care you can get, a specialist for the specific need, 3. You go on to the next plateau and visualize all the things you want to do.
○ I’ll just keep going and you just keep going.
○ Aunt Marilyn story: She always tried to fit two hours in an hour. She cheated death twice and from that lived life fully. Once she was late and her reason was "I was driving and I saw this perfect tree. Perfect. I had to pull over the road to look at it!”
Beloved wife of the late Rudolph “Rudy” Melchiorre Sr, who treasured 50 wonderful years together. Loving mother of Michelle Melchiorre, Anthony (Andrea) Melchiorre, Rudolph “Rudy” Jr. (Dawn) Melchiorre, and Mark (Erika) Melchiorre. Adored grandmother of Arturo Melchiorre-Soto and Annaclara (Timmothy) Rafalko; Jake, Jacqueline, Jessica, and James Melchiorre; Ersilia, Michael, and Rudolph “Rudy” III Melchiorre; Jackson and Alessandra Melchiorre. Dear great-grandmother of Lillianclare Rafalko. Devoted daughter of the late Anthony and late “Mama” Celeste Lizio. Cherished sister of the late Emanuel “Willie” (deceased) (Marilyn) Lizio, Anthony (Theresa) Lizio, and Pasqual (deceased) (Patricia) Lizio. Loved sister-in-law of Virginia (deceased) (Marco) De Sario, Bruno (deceased) (Mary) Melchiorre, Mario (deceased) (Roberta) Melchiore, Mary (deceased) (Theodore) Melchiore, Ralph (deceased) (Esther) Melchiorre, Polinnia Melchiorre,and John (deceased) (Gloria) Melchiorre. She was a fond aunt, great-aunt, cousin, and loyal friend to many.
In light of current state regulations, there were no public in-person events. A private family Entombment was held at Queen of Heaven Mausoleum in Hillside, IL along with a virtual service on Monday, June 29th.
As a final gift, Clara completed her life goal of compiling all her recipes into a cookbook so her legacy of love and joy of cooking could be passed on to her family and friends. The family will hold an in-person celebration of life with the extended family and friends she loved so much once the cookbook “Cooking with Clara: Recipes of a Lifetime” is published. Please check Clara's facebook page in the next few days for the link. In lieu of flowers, donations in Clara's memory can be made to the Summit Volunteer First Aid Squad at 1000 Summit Ave., Summit, NJ 07901. https://summitems.org/
The author Isabel Allende once wrote “write what should not be forgotten,” but with Clara there is almost too much to say. Born in Chicago, IL on May 5th, 1938, Clara's childhood was spent at her parents’ restaurant at 751 S. Kedzie avenue on Chicago’s westside. She attended Marquette University where she expanded her philosophy and met the love of her life, Rudolph Melchiorre Sr. Settling into a beautiful life in Naperville, Il, she gave birth to her most valued accomplishment, her children; Michelle, Anthony, Rudy and Mark. Her children were the center of her heart. With the support of her husband Rudolph Sr., Clara brought her vision of an Italian restaurant based on the energy and heart of her mother’s love of feeding the family. Clara’s has become an institution in the Chicago suburbs. Blessed are those in the fold. And Clara welcomed all into her heart. In the 90s she moved to Arizona and then in 2012 to New Jersey, but always her home was Clara’s and her many friends that loved the warmth, love, and food of the restaurant. Because food represented love. Clara spent her life loving her family, her community, and the world. We were lucky to have Clara Theresa Lizio Melchiorre and her love will live forever in all of us. Love was Clara’s mantra.
Special Clara Quotes:
● I just put my faith in a higher power.
○ Do what you can, and do it to the best of your ability!
○ I accept who the person is. Limitations and all. Find the goodness.
○ Cast your bread upon the water and it comes back sandwiches!
○ The three point plan, when with a serious illness: 1. You leave it to whatever you conceive to be greater than all of us, what it is to you, 2. You get the very best care you can get, a specialist for the specific need, 3. You go on to the next plateau and visualize all the things you want to do.
○ I’ll just keep going and you just keep going.
○ Aunt Marilyn story: She always tried to fit two hours in an hour. She cheated death twice and from that lived life fully. Once she was late and her reason was "I was driving and I saw this perfect tree. Perfect. I had to pull over the road to look at it!”
Beloved wife of the late Rudolph “Rudy” Melchiorre Sr, who treasured 50 wonderful years together. Loving mother of Michelle Melchiorre, Anthony (Andrea) Melchiorre, Rudolph “Rudy” Jr. (Dawn) Melchiorre, and Mark (Erika) Melchiorre. Adored grandmother of Arturo Melchiorre-Soto and Annaclara (Timmothy) Rafalko; Jake, Jacqueline, Jessica, and James Melchiorre; Ersilia, Michael, and Rudolph “Rudy” III Melchiorre; Jackson and Alessandra Melchiorre. Dear great-grandmother of Lillianclare Rafalko. Devoted daughter of the late Anthony and late “Mama” Celeste Lizio. Cherished sister of the late Emanuel “Willie” (deceased) (Marilyn) Lizio, Anthony (Theresa) Lizio, and Pasqual (deceased) (Patricia) Lizio. Loved sister-in-law of Virginia (deceased) (Marco) De Sario, Bruno (deceased) (Mary) Melchiorre, Mario (deceased) (Roberta) Melchiore, Mary (deceased) (Theodore) Melchiore, Ralph (deceased) (Esther) Melchiorre, Polinnia Melchiorre,and John (deceased) (Gloria) Melchiorre. She was a fond aunt, great-aunt, cousin, and loyal friend to many.
In light of current state regulations, there were no public in-person events. A private family Entombment was held at Queen of Heaven Mausoleum in Hillside, IL along with a virtual service on Monday, June 29th.
As a final gift, Clara completed her life goal of compiling all her recipes into a cookbook so her legacy of love and joy of cooking could be passed on to her family and friends. The family will hold an in-person celebration of life with the extended family and friends she loved so much once the cookbook “Cooking with Clara: Recipes of a Lifetime” is published. Please check Clara's facebook page in the next few days for the link. In lieu of flowers, donations in Clara's memory can be made to the Summit Volunteer First Aid Squad at 1000 Summit Ave., Summit, NJ 07901. https://summitems.org/
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