1935
Therese
2022
Therese Battaglia
September 29, 1935 — January 15, 2022
Therese Marie Battaglia passed away on January 15, 2022 at 86 years of age. She was born on September 29, 1935 in Maywood, IL, to Sam and Mildred Battaglia and was the second to youngest of five siblings—Mary, Grace, Lorraine, Lucille, and Sam.
Therese was loved by her family and is survived by her children, Lydia (David) Ziegler of Elgin, IL; Andrew Jurgens of Elgin, IL; Debbie (Wade) Weisman of Williamsburg, VA; Julia Jurgens of Tucson, AZ; grandchildren Adam (Ashley) Ziegler and great-grandchildren, Jack and Brooklyn of Rockford, IL; Leah (Doug) Hammerl and great grandchild, Logan of Lakewood, IL; grandchildren Zachary Weisman of Jacksonville, FL; Tyler (Katie) Weisman of Charlotte, NC; Connor Weisman of Richmond, VA; and Bradley Weisman of Charlottesville, VA.
Therese had a passion for the arts and loved theatre, opera, classical music, and photography. Following graduation from Providence High School in 1953, she worked at NBC in Chicago and hoped to pursue theatre. Her dreams changed course when she married and had children, however, she returned to and incorporated her interests throughout her life.
In 1978, she started working at Salerno’s on the Fox in St. Charles, Illinois. A routine desk-job would not have fit her, instead she welcomed the challenge and charged atmosphere of this popular Italian restaurant, often working doubles from 11 am to past midnight. Customers soon requested her and she became their favorite. Her signature contribution was singing, Let Me Call You Sweetheart, to couples celebrating anniversaries. Even in the midst of a full dining room, she listened, smiled, and made patrons laugh. She welcomed the chance to serve someone who had a bad day; her warmth made anyone leave in lighter spirits. Late at night, after the last plate of fettuccine and glass of chianti were served, she’d return home to play Moonlight Sonata on her baby grand piano. In her later years, Therese continued working at Salerno’s as a hostess, still employed at the time of her death.
Therese loved an adventure! Her desire for travel began as a child when she drove cross-country on route 66 from Chicago, Illinois to San Francisco, California with her father. She also recounted regular Sunday drives in the country with her parents and exuberant siblings, all packed into a station wagon.
A favorite memory of hers was camping near the majestic Minnesota-Canada boundary waters and sipping whiskey by campfire. Once, she took a windjammer cruise for photographers off the coast of Maine, and learned to cook in the galley. She enjoyed visiting her sister, Grace, at her home in Bucerías, Mexico, walking miles along the coast and having lively conversations over freshly caught seafood. She traveled many times to Italy to see her daughter, Debbie and her family. Stops included Assisi, Florence, Cinque Terre, Venice, and Slovenia.
Her curiosity and free-spirit led to many wonderful experiences. Once, she walked to an albergo (inn) near her daughter’s home in Italy. Despite passing it for two years, her daughter and family had never visited. Therese investigated and made a dinner reservation for the family that evening, resulting in one of the finest meals they ever had. They even returned for breakfast!
Therese was equally enthusiastic about her faith, learning, and patriotism. She attended Our Lady Immaculate Church in Oak Park, Illinois for the last 19 years. Daily, she prayed the Rosary and was fervent in attending the Tridentine Latin Mass. At church, she formed close friends and they often went to breakfast after mass or gathered for dinner. She and her friends also shared a keen interest in politics and history, of which she was an ardent reader. Floor to ceiling bookshelves in her home housed an extensive collection, two rows deep. Fellowship with kindred spirits and fervent discussion on faith and politics added much to her life. Therese loved her country and was deeply vested in both history and current affairs.
Therese’s smile, spirit, generosity, and homemade manicotti will be deeply missed.
Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to:
Our Lady Immaculate Church, https://sspx.org/en/community/priories/our-lady-immaculate-church-priory-432
Hillsdale College, https://www.hillsdale.edu/support/ways-to-give/
Therese was loved by her family and is survived by her children, Lydia (David) Ziegler of Elgin, IL; Andrew Jurgens of Elgin, IL; Debbie (Wade) Weisman of Williamsburg, VA; Julia Jurgens of Tucson, AZ; grandchildren Adam (Ashley) Ziegler and great-grandchildren, Jack and Brooklyn of Rockford, IL; Leah (Doug) Hammerl and great grandchild, Logan of Lakewood, IL; grandchildren Zachary Weisman of Jacksonville, FL; Tyler (Katie) Weisman of Charlotte, NC; Connor Weisman of Richmond, VA; and Bradley Weisman of Charlottesville, VA.
Therese had a passion for the arts and loved theatre, opera, classical music, and photography. Following graduation from Providence High School in 1953, she worked at NBC in Chicago and hoped to pursue theatre. Her dreams changed course when she married and had children, however, she returned to and incorporated her interests throughout her life.
In 1978, she started working at Salerno’s on the Fox in St. Charles, Illinois. A routine desk-job would not have fit her, instead she welcomed the challenge and charged atmosphere of this popular Italian restaurant, often working doubles from 11 am to past midnight. Customers soon requested her and she became their favorite. Her signature contribution was singing, Let Me Call You Sweetheart, to couples celebrating anniversaries. Even in the midst of a full dining room, she listened, smiled, and made patrons laugh. She welcomed the chance to serve someone who had a bad day; her warmth made anyone leave in lighter spirits. Late at night, after the last plate of fettuccine and glass of chianti were served, she’d return home to play Moonlight Sonata on her baby grand piano. In her later years, Therese continued working at Salerno’s as a hostess, still employed at the time of her death.
Therese loved an adventure! Her desire for travel began as a child when she drove cross-country on route 66 from Chicago, Illinois to San Francisco, California with her father. She also recounted regular Sunday drives in the country with her parents and exuberant siblings, all packed into a station wagon.
A favorite memory of hers was camping near the majestic Minnesota-Canada boundary waters and sipping whiskey by campfire. Once, she took a windjammer cruise for photographers off the coast of Maine, and learned to cook in the galley. She enjoyed visiting her sister, Grace, at her home in Bucerías, Mexico, walking miles along the coast and having lively conversations over freshly caught seafood. She traveled many times to Italy to see her daughter, Debbie and her family. Stops included Assisi, Florence, Cinque Terre, Venice, and Slovenia.
Her curiosity and free-spirit led to many wonderful experiences. Once, she walked to an albergo (inn) near her daughter’s home in Italy. Despite passing it for two years, her daughter and family had never visited. Therese investigated and made a dinner reservation for the family that evening, resulting in one of the finest meals they ever had. They even returned for breakfast!
Therese was equally enthusiastic about her faith, learning, and patriotism. She attended Our Lady Immaculate Church in Oak Park, Illinois for the last 19 years. Daily, she prayed the Rosary and was fervent in attending the Tridentine Latin Mass. At church, she formed close friends and they often went to breakfast after mass or gathered for dinner. She and her friends also shared a keen interest in politics and history, of which she was an ardent reader. Floor to ceiling bookshelves in her home housed an extensive collection, two rows deep. Fellowship with kindred spirits and fervent discussion on faith and politics added much to her life. Therese loved her country and was deeply vested in both history and current affairs.
Therese’s smile, spirit, generosity, and homemade manicotti will be deeply missed.
Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to:
Our Lady Immaculate Church, https://sspx.org/en/community/priories/our-lady-immaculate-church-priory-432
Hillsdale College, https://www.hillsdale.edu/support/ways-to-give/
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Therese Battaglia, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Countryside Funeral Home and Crematory, South Elgin
Mass of Christian Burial
Our Lady of Immaculate Chapel
Gathering 9:30a.m. until time of mass 10:00a.m.
Guestbook
Visits: 2
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