Leona was born August 8, 1942, in Chicago to father Anthony (Tony) and mother Lucille. She lived most of her life in Chicago and loved spending time with her father, Florence (stepmother), her sister Marie, and brother, George in California during the summer months.
In Chicago, she buddied around with cousins Johanna, Diane, and many more. She spent her teenage years hanging with the club girls, like Juliet and her friend Eleanor, her "ride or die". She graduated from Carl Schurz High School where she entered an art contest and won.
As a young woman, she met Joseph Saelens and then started a family having three children Christopher, Michael, and Denielle, where they lived many happy days on Moody Street in Chicago. She loved to disco dance and was always dressed to the tens. Leona loved cooking, especially Italian food, for her family, and enjoyed a glass or two of red wine. She taught her children patience, love (tenderness), and acceptance of others.
Later in life, she went on to meet Joe Silvestri for a life filled with love, laughter, travel, and truly living a wonderful life. She loved beautiful flowers and socializing with many special friends. She touched many lives in Chicago and Las Vegas. She was a bright light of joy, always had a positive word to share, and passed no judgment on others.
She was a loving mother, wife, grandmother(Nana), sister, aunt, and friend to many.
She is survived by her children, Christopher (Brenda) Saelens, Michael
(Julie) Saelens, and Denielle (David) Wright, by her grandchildren, Olivia
VanHouse, Jake (Paige) Saelens and Jason (Amanda) Kaitchuck and
great-granddaughter, Aubrey Kaitchuck. She is also survived by her sister,
Marie (Agostino) Bonamino and cousins, Johanna, Natalie and Sherrie.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Silvestri, and her brother, George Dill.
Visitation will be on Sunday, June 30, 2024, from 11:00 am until 1:00 pm with a
prayer service at 1:00 at DeFiore Funeral Home-10763 Dundee-Huntley Road,
Huntley, Illinois, (847)515-8772.
Leona Barbara Silvestri, 81, died June 15, 2024.
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I will miss my Aunt Leona. She was always a bright light in a room and always lit it up with her contagious laugh and smile. May she rest in peace. ❤️
You will always have a special place in my heart💕 dear sister , loving you always ⭐️ I will love you always 🙏🏻
Leona was such a beautiful person. Even though I didn’t see her much the times we were together was great and fun. . She always hide out to have a cigarette and when she got caught , she would put it out. My condolences to her family and friends. A beautiful women she will be missed 💞😎 and is always in my heart. The times we did have together was great fun. She always s
Many happy memories of Leona as a child. May she rest in peace 🙏
lee and i worked together she was a special friend too me i already miss her sorry to her family i know they miss her too
Celebrating Leona's beautiful soul. She was kind, caring and gracious. Always ready for an adventure. Such wonderful memories dancing, singing and eating. Blessings on the entire family. Sending love, prayers and hugs.