Eleonora Gertrude “Ellie” DeCrescentis died peacefully on Thursday, July 21, 2022, at the age of 96. She was surrounded with love by the wonderful staff at Wesley Place in Chicago. She was born on November 7, 1925, to Charlotte, née Mueller, and Michael DeCrescentis in Chicago and was named after Eleanora Duse, a famous Italian actress. She earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the Northwestern School of Business in 1942, working her way through college at A.C. Nielson. Although A.C. Nielson wanted her to work for them after graduation, she began a long career at Illinois Bell (ATT) at the advice of her mother on September 29, 1942, retiring on December 31, 1985.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Charlotte; her father, Michael; her sister, Mary Elizabeth Carlson, and brother-in-law, John Bernhard Carlson.

Ellie is survived by her nephew, Robert Geoffrey Carlson (Patrice); niece, Elizabeth Anne (Lisa) Forbes (Michael); nephew, Michael John Carlson (Kalen); great-nephews, James Emmanuel Kyaruzi Carlson and Marco Joseph Carlson; great-niece, Christina Forbes; great-great-niece, Jaina Eleonor Carlson; and great-great nephews, Jack Grant Carlson and Collin Carlson.

Eleonora loved music and had season tickets to the Lyric Opera for many years that she attended with her friend from church, Jenny Glick.

Ellie was a lifelong member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church by-the-Lake in Chicago, where she made many friends and devoted much of her time participating in the church in many ways. Ellie taught Church School as a young adult. One of her classes was the 5th grade which was so large in the 1940s & 60s that they met in the rear balcony of the church. Later she was active serving on the Altar Guild during Fr. Hull & Fr. Buzard’s rectorates. Fr. Banner, Rector from 1970 to 1992 asked Ellie to become the Parish Treasurer, using her skills at preparing budgets for Annual Parish Meetings. Her Treasurer’s annual Report was always prepared with precision and good humor. Ellie continued to serve as Parish Treasurer through most of the 7th Rector’s tenure. Ellie was even more so a person who saw the value of attending Daily Mass, Stations of the Cross, Walsingham Days, Forward in Faith Conferences, and Sunday Morning Bible Studies. Ellie was a member of the Parish ECW (Episcopal Church Women) who organized lunches, receptions, a holiday bazaar, and yearly support of the Priest’s Discretionary Fund. She enjoyed the yearly Lenten Teaching Series and listening in on First Communion & Confirmation Classes. Ellie was a prayerful support to Frs. Hull, Buzard, Banner, and Heschlē.

A Funeral Service will be held at the church at a later date to be announced.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church by-the-Lake, 7100 N. Ashland Blvd., Chicago, IL, 60626 (stpaulsbythelake.org).

Funeral info:  847.673.6111.

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