Leslie Anne Pistilli
 July 30, 1948 - March 3, 2021 CLICK HERE TO ACCESS LIVE STREAM A graduate of St. Elizabeth University (Morristown, NJ) with degrees in history and teaching, Lee was forever an educator at heart. She instilled a love of learning in her sons and grandchildren, and for the thousands of students she taught in her over 40-year career. She relished the opportunity to help everyone learn something new and discover things in the world around them. She taught for 35 years in Catholic schools at Immaculate Conception Grade School in Elmhurst, IL, and St. Scholastica School in Woodridge, IL. These years allowed her to not only teach social studies, but also to guide students in their faith lives as well. She had high expectations for her students, and supported them through even the hardest lessons to ensure that they both learned the material and gained self-confidence at the same time. She was often heard saying “Fully Rely On God” and FROGs could be found throughout the décor in her classroom and home office. Lee was a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother and friend. She and her husband, Don, celebrated their 50th anniversary last year and together they raised their two sons. In recent years, she particularly loved her role as Nonnie and Neenie for her four grandchildren. She doted on all of them, never missing an opportunity to give them her love, send them a note, or support them at their concerts, acting endeavors, or athletic competitions. She had a love of travel, and used her retirement to cruise and fly around the world to see the history she taught during her many years in the classroom. She was an avid reader, and was rarely without a book in hand or nearby. Lee lived her Catholic faith, regularly attended mass, served for years as an extraordinary minister of communion, and prayed the rosary at stoplights and freight trains (and encouraged her children to do the same). She enjoyed watching the Cubs, playing bridge, and feeding the birds at the many feeders outside her windows. She loved to bake with her husband, friends, children and grandchildren. She offered cooking classes for kids and was once featured in the local paper for her spinach bread recipe. Family gatherings always featured a table laden with everyone’s favorite foods, made just the way they liked them. Those visiting would always be asked for menu suggestions in advance so she could make sure they wouldn’t leave hungry. Leftovers were always sent home, along with a few extra treats and goodies. Lee was always generous with her skills and time, baking tens of dozens of cookies every Christmas to share with friends and neighbors, and hosting open houses on holidays for friends and loved ones. A true servant, Lee always put others before herself and taught her family to do the same. She is survived by her husband Donald Pistilli; two sons Matt (Kelly) Pistilli; and Drew (Sarah) Pistilli; four grandchildren, Gwendolyn, Theodore, Dominic and Anthony; her brother Timothy (Debra) Gove; and, her sister Teresa (Jay) Drolett. Visitation will be held from 4:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. Tuesday, March 9, 2021 at Moss Family Funeral Home in Batavia, IL. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 A.M. Wednesday, March 10, 2021 at St. Peter Catholic Church in Geneva, IL. A livestream of the funeral mass will be available at https://www.stpeterchurch.com/mass.html In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to St. Joseph Indian School, 1301 N Main St, Chamberlain, SD 57325, https://stjo.org. |
