Mrs. Rosalia “Lia” Cucinella aka “Mamma Lia”, age 73 of Robinson, IL passed away on Sunday August 15, 2021, at 12:58 AM at Crawford Memorial Hospital, Robinson, IL following several months of declining health.
Lia was born in the Cinisi Province of Palermo, Italy to Antonino and Giuseppina (Badalamenti) Cucinella on August 23, 1947. On October 31, 1971, she married Giuseppe “Joe” Cucinella and he survives.
Lia co-founded and operated Joe’s Italian Foods in Mt. Carmel, IL in 1971, then moved to Robinson, IL in July 1972 where they owned and operated Joe’s Italian Foods and Pizza for 42 years until their retirement. Besides working in the restaurant, Lia managed to raise three sons and two daughters and be a Nonna to twelve grandchildren and was a long-time member of St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church in Robinson, IL.
She was devoted to her family and always looked forward to family Monday night gatherings of cooking and laughing together. Her family meant the world to her, and her telephone line was always busy with daily check-ins and happenings in all our lives. Togetherness was her most prized possession. She will always be remembered for her generosity and compassionate heart. She fought her many illness with every fiber of her being which have lasted the last 40 plus years.
She has received the best medical care from her doctors who also became honorary members of her family as well. She had open arms to everyone she met, and she was prepared to welcome anyone into her home with a kiss, a cup of coffee, and a 5-course meal with whatever she had in her pantry. A piece of our family will be forever missing, but we find great comfort in knowing she is at peace with God and reunited with her siblings, friends, and parents; especially her mother whom she lost at the young age of 13.
Survivors include her husband Mr. Giuseppe “Joe” Cucinella, Robinson, IL; three sons and daughters-in-law, Gaspare and Jill Cucinella, Newton, IL, Tony and Shana Cucinella, Robinson, IL, Nick and Jill Cucinella, Robinson, IL; two daughters and sons-in-law, Nora and Oni Leone, Sullivan, IN, Lia and Joey Wirth, Lawrenceville, IL; twelve grandchildren, Giuseppe, Frank and Maria Cucinella, Vivianna, Marianna and Giuseppe Cucinella, Alfonso Palazzolo, Giuseppe and Rosalia Wirth, Giuseppe and Salvatore Leone and Nicola Cucinella along with many nieces and nephews.
Preceding her in death were her parents, a brother Giuseppe Trupiano; two sisters, Maria Pia Vitale and Fara Palazzolo.
A Mass of the Resurrection will be held on Wednesday, August 18, 2021, at 2:00 PM at St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church in Robinson, IL. Visitation will begin at 11:00 AM Wednesday and continue until the beginning of the Mass at 2:00 PM at St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church in Robinson, IL.
Memorial Contributions may be made to St. Judes’ Hospital for Children with envelopes available at the Church or Pulliam Funeral Home, Robinson, IL.
