Vilma Eva Pagni passed away Thursday, March 8, 2018 peacefully at home at the golden age of 89.
“V,” as she was known, grew up in Cicero, two doors down from her eventual husband of 66 years, the late James M. Pagni. The couple’s parents both came to America from Lucca, Italy in the early 1900’s. The young couple moved to Elmhurst in 1963, where they moved into a home in the brand new Park Manor subdivision and raised a family. More of a homebody, V entertained in her kitchen making her specialty – homemade pizza dough and then using leftovers to make pasta fritta(fried dough), that she served warm topped with powdered sugar. Feeding her friends and family was the truest indication of her love for them. Barely 5 feet tall, she was small but mighty, and was generous and caring.
In addition to her late husband Jim, Vilma was also the devoted mother of Colette Pagni-Schuten, Jim (Patti), and the Late Renee Pagni-Eady. Loving daughter of the late Giuseppe and the late Rena (nee Lazarini) Carmignani. Fond grandmother of Courtney (Matt) Nenadic, Michael (Megan) Eady, James Jr., Julia and Joey. Fond great-grandmother to Lorelai and Greyson Eady. The last of a generation, she was dear sister-in-law of the late Reno “Pug” (the late Florence), the late Yolanda (the late Geno) Grilli, the late Alexander “Buff” (the late Josephine), the late Pete (the late Florence), the late Hugo, the late Dolores (the late George) Strnad, the late Mario, and the late Theresa. Dear aunt and great-aunt to many. Vilma was cared for the last several years by her attentive and loving caretaker, Linda, who also helped care for her late husband Jim. Services have been held and a mass of Christian burial took place at Visitation Church. For more information, visit russohillsidechapels.com.
