Ellen Cambio

October 29, 1952 — December 1, 2024

Ellen Kay Cambio (nee Wodniakowski), a beloved spouse, mother, grandmother, and confidante, passed away peacefully in Barrington, Illinois, on December 1, 2024 at the age of 72. Born on October 29, 1952, Ellen was the cherished "Baby" daughter of the late Edward and the late Estelle (nee Podraza) Wodniakowski. She was raised in the Schorsch Village neighborhood of Chicago's Northwest side where she attended St. Priscilla's grammar school.

Ellen graduated from Alvernia High School in 1970 and went on to study Drama at Wright College. She performed major roles in several stage productions. Her personal "claim to fame" was auditioning for the musical Pippin in 1972. Although she didn't get a part in the production, Ellen was extremely proud of the fact that she had stood all alone in front of the legendary Bob Fosse and sang her rendition of "I'd Rather be Blue". After having "been there done that" with theatre, she switched gears and joined the United States Navy as a specialist in Mass Communications (aka photography). Her passion for photography landed her a position at Parkway Color Labs in downtown Chicago where she became fast friends with Frank Giambrone and Gene Brieske. It was through Frank and Gene that she met the love of her life, Michael.

In 1975 Ellen married her eternal sweetheart (and PITA) Michael John Cambio. Together, they raised two children, Joshua and Priscilla, who were the pride and joy of her life. Ellen went back to school in 1988 and graduated with an associate degree in Psychology from Harper College. Since then, she has been counseling family and friends as their "go-to" confidante.

Ellen was an inspirational and supportive "Mema" to her two grandsons, Michael and Alexander. She enjoyed spending special moments with them, whether it was telling stories, sharing recipes and the arts or teaching them history and how to live life.

Her many accomplishments ranged from designing/sewing her own clothes (including her wedding dress) to making Halloween costumes for the family, crafting Holiday ornaments/decorations for everyone, creating numerous pieces of original artwork, and playing her favorite classical pieces on her baby-grand piano. Ellen's main passion in life eventually became cooking for family and friends. She was a consummate gourmet cook, always experimenting and creating new dishes and baked items. Her secondary passion was being a devoted animal lover. Whether it be pet hamsters, cats, bunnies, birds, ferrets, dogs or even wild Mallard ducks, she was always ever-vigilant in raising and caring for them, even to the point of requesting prayers from family members when one of her beloved dogs (Maui, Mahi, Charm and Kirby) had fallen ill.

Ellen is survived by her husband Michael, children Joshua (Maria) and Priscilla (Nicolas) Bede, grandchildren Michael and Alexander, sister Janet (Edward) Helgason, brother Edward (Theresa) Wodniakowski and many nieces and nephews. She was the loving sister of her mentor, the late Mary Clare (Andrew) Foertsch. She will be extremely missed by all who know her.

Cremation private at Countryside Crematory. Visitation Saturday, December 14 from 9:00am until time of memorial service 11:30am at Countryside Funeral Home and Crematory 950 South Bartlett Rd. (at Stearns Rd.), Bartlett. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Ellen's memory to The American Heart Association at www.heart.org Info (630)289-7575

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Saturday, December 14, 2024

9:00 - 11:30 am

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Countryside Funeral Home and Crematory, Bartlett

950 S Bartlett Rd, Bartlett, IL 60103

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