Theresa Barbara Kubica DeCanio

September 23, 1928 – June 19, 2017

Theresa Barbara DeCanio nee Kubica, 88, of Chicago, Illinois, died peacefully - surrounded by loving family members - on Monday, June 19, 2017 at the DuPage County Convalescent Center from complications arising from Alzheimer's.

Theresa, "Momma D", (a.k.a Mother Fear, a.k.a Nanna D), was preceded in death by her parents, John Kubica and Barbara Kubica nee Tulis; her husband, Samuel Joseph DeCanio; her beloved granddaughter Annie; and great-grandson Lincoln.

Theresa was the youngest of her siblings all of who preceded her in death; they are Mary Kudelka; Joseph (Frances); Jean (Sam) Calamia; Ludmilla; Helen (Gregory) MontMarquette; Stephen (Tillie); John (Ethel); Charles (Mary); and George (Josephine).

A devoted mother, she is survived by her five adult offspring, Michael and his wife, Stephanie; Tommy and his wife Ingrid, Robert and his wife Barbie; William and his wife Lesley; and her pride and joy, daughter Barbara.

Surviving grandchildren include Christopher (Angela), Anthony (Angelina); Jason; Philip (Rachael); Kelly (Nick); Brian (Kelly); Mark; Lisa; Amanda; Lauren and Izabella.

Great-grandchildren include Zachary, Kayla, Ariana, Anthony James, Justin, Maddie, Harper, Scarlett, and Sawyer.  Sad that the cursed Alzheimer's robbed her of remembering those children she welcomed into this life and cheated her from meeting the most recent arrivals into our family.

After Theresa's husband, Sam, passed away in 1982, she began to reinvent herself at the age of 50. After nearly 32 years of being a housewife and mother to five, Theresa finally learned how to drive a car……and, with that, my friends, came her new incantation on her message of her answering machine, to wit: "I'M ON THE ROAD AGAIN…..."  Momma D discovered the freedom to roam; and roam she did!

Theresa loved travelling, having visited all 50 of these United States.  Other interests included going to the movies, dining out, doing word-search puzzles, (fiercely) playing Skit-Skat, and generally being around family.  Theresa had a fondness for writing letters – some were even unsolicited "reproaches".   Above all Momma D was – from the beginning – the "official" family photographer.  She leaves behind over 150 photo albums and countless thousands of pictures and memories.  Her laugh was infectious (even if it resulted in a snort or two).  She hated her smile but still seemed to make you smile with her goofiness.

Family will greet friends and acquaintances of Theresa's at a gathering and viewing on Thursday, June 22, 2017 at Hultgren Funeral Home, 304 N. Main Street, Wheaton, Il 60187.  At 10:00 am on Friday, June 23, 2017, there will be a memorial service at Hultgren Funeral Home, followed by interment at Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Hillsdale, Il.  Friends and guests are requested to join Theresa's family at Alpine Banquet House, 11141 W Roosevelt Rd, Westchester, Il immediately following the interment at approximately 12:00 noon.

In lieu of flowers, the family whole heartedly request that you please donate generously to the Alzheimer's Association to help eradicate this insidious disease.