Elegie DiFilippo LoCascio Obituary


Born:  October 16, 1942 in Chicago, IL
Died:  April 26, 2018 in DeKalb, IL


Elegie LoCascio, 75, of DeKalb, Illinois, died peacefully at home after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.  Her final struggle was waged with the help of her husband Joseph, her daughter Jeanne, and her son, Michael.

Elegie was the daughter of Pietro and Scholastica DiFilippo, both of Montenero Val Cocchiara, Italy.  She was originally to be named Algissa, but her parents thought Elegie sounded more American.  She went to Chicago public schools and graduated with distinction from Bowen High School. She then graduated from Northern Illinois University in 1964 with a double major in English and Spanish, and she was the recipient of a grant to study in Mexico after graduation.

She taught English for one year at Thornridge High School and then married Joseph LoCascio of Morton Grove, Illinois in 1965. They both earned their Master's Degrees in English at Northern, and decided to make DeKalb their home.

Elegie was a beloved and dedicated teacher who touched the lives of literally thousands of students during her career as an English and Spanish teacher at DeKalb High School.  She loved the excitement of watching students grasp concepts and skills that would enrich their lives. She was a recipient of the Wirtz Award for Distinguished Teaching, was awarded a grant to study in Spain in the summer of 1994, and co-directed with her husband ten Study Tours to Greece for more than 200 students over spring vacations. She was active in developing and teaching in the Summer Migrant Program at DeKalb High School.  She was known as a demanding teacher who won students over with her exuberance and enthusiasm.  She retired in 2002.

During her 16 years of retirement she enjoyed travelling with her husband to China, Spain and Portugal, the Netherlands, and Italy.  She was an active community volunteer, serving as President of the Oakcrest Retirement Center Board, volunteering for Hospice Care, delivering Meals on Wheels, and helping at the Country Store Thrift Shop.

Elegie was devoted to fitness and was one of the dedicated "Y-Rats" who worked out every day at the YMCA.  She ran and completed the Chicago Marathon when she was 60 years old, and she loved golfing with her husband and best friend Penny Rosenow.

She is survived by her husband Joseph;  her daughter Jeanne Sacks and husband Josh and grandchildren Tyler, Jared, Benjamin and Madeleine;  her son Michael and wife Elizabeth and grandchildren Mateo and Viviana; her brother Luddy and wife Jan, and many nieces and nephews.

According to her wishes, there will be a private religious ceremony at Newman Center by Father Matt McMorrow where her cremated ashes will be blessed.

Former students, colleagues, friends, family and members of the community who knew and loved Elegie will be invited to a larger memorial celebration of her life at a place and time to be announced in the coming weeks.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Joseph and Elegie LoCascio Scholarship Fund of the DeKalb Community Foundation, the Cradle Adoption Agency in Evanston, Illinois, or to a charity or cause of choice.

Cremation arrangements were entrusted to: Finch Funeral Home 310 Oak St. DeKalb, IL, 60115 (815) 758-3841.