Carmelina "Carmela" Ritucci, 86, of Chicago, IL, formerly of Elkhart, passed away on Tuesday, October 29, 2024, at home.  She was surrounded by her children holding her hands, with her two favorite caregivers by her side. She moved to Chicago to live with her daughter in August 2022 to battle Frontotemporal Dementia which aggressively progressed in July 2024.

Carmela was born August 29, 1938, in Volturara Appula Foggia, Italy to the late NicoAngelo and Concetta Borrilli.  She moved from Italy to Elkhart in April of 1963 and called Elkhart home until she moved to Illinois.  She married Antonio "Tony the Tailor" on March 1, 1962, in Italy.  Tony passed on April 10, 2008, from lung cancer.

Carmela and Tony went to design school together in Italy and operated the shop together from 1970 until 1985.  She was also a stay-at-home wife and mom, raising their three children.  The whole family would spend time together at the shop.  From 1985 until she was 80 years old, she worked full-time at Carson Pirie Scott Department Store in the perfume counter until the chain closed in 2018, at which time, she retired.

She is survived by three children: Carmela Ritucci of Chicago, Nick Ritucci of Dayton, OH and Maria Ritucci (Jay) of Mt. Pleasant, WI; one grandson, Dominick Ritucci, one sister, Rosetta Borrilli and one brother, Tony Borrilli, both of Italy; a niece, Carrie Ritucci Fuller and a nephew, Nick F. Ritucci.  Also surviving are her beloved grandpets, who were her pride and joy.

Carmela was a faithful member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church and St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, attending every Sunday until she moved in 2022.  She was also a member of the I.A.R.A. (Italian American Relief Association).

Visitation for Carmela will be held on Friday, November 15, 2024, from 4:00 until 8:00 pm at Hartzler-Gutermuth-Inman Funeral Home where guests will be encouraged to share words during a eulogy. After the visitation, friends are encouraged to join the family at the Gateway Cellar Winery, formerly Tony the Tailor's shop, to stroll down memory lane. Friends may also call from 11 am until the Mass of Christian Burial at noon on Saturday at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church.  The Rev. Logan Parrish will officiate and Carmela will be laid to rest next to her beloved Tony following Mass at St. Vincent Cemetery.  Everyone will gather at Michael's Italian Restaurant following services to find comfort in each other's company.

Memorials for Carmela may be sent to https://everloved.com/life-of/carmelina-carmela-ritucci/