Katherine ‘Karen’ Casella
Katherine ‘Karen’ Casella; of Western Springs; beloved wife of the late Bernie Casella; loving mother of Toby (Chrissy), Michael (Carrie), Carie (Joe) Kessler, & Matthew (Lauren); proud Sweets of Mac, TJ, Kaley, Kathleen, Jacob, Griffin, Keegan, Kelsey, Carson, Keira, Connor, Maren, Gavin, & Emily; dear sister of Barb (the late John) Keeley, Susan (Jim) Davis, the late Linda Ross, Mary (Bill) Durkin, & Tim (Terri) Geary; loving aunt to many nieces & nephews, and a friend to many. Karen was a wonderful artist who passed on her gift for almost 30 years in the art room at St. Cletus. She was loved by all who knew her, and she loved all of you more! Visitation 3 to 9 p.m. on Sunday, October 13 at Hallowell & James Funeral Home, 1025 W. 55th St., Countryside. Family & friends will gather at the Congregation of St. Joseph, 1515 Ogden Ave., LaGrange Park on Monday, October 14 for 10 a.m. Mass. Procession to Bronswood Cemetery, Oak Brook will follow. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Karen’s name to Retired Sisters of the Congregation of St. Joseph’s 1515 Ogden Ave, LaGrange Park, IL 60526 are appreciated. Info: (708) 352-6500
To dear Karen’s family,
Know that we mourn Karen’s loss with you, and are keeping you in our prayers.
Everyone who knew Karen knew how much she adored her big loving family. You were all such a blessing in her life. Her warm smile at the CSJ reception desk will be missed.
Karen was gift to us for too short a time! She will be missed!
God welcomed her with open arms!
Grace Sbrissa, CSJ
I worked with your Mom at St Cletus for 13 years! She was always so sweet and was extremely proud of her children. Just remember all of the great memories that you had with your Mom & Dad.
I taught at St Cletus in the 80’s and was always so impressed with your Mom’s talent as an artist and her goodness as a person. She leaves you all with a wonderful legacy.
Our love and sympathy to all of the Casella family. Karen and Bernie were very special friends of ours and we miss them so much. I’m sure you know how proud they were of each of you.
Our sympathies to the Casella family and extended family. We were neighbors for many years and I babysat for the kids when I was a teenager. There were many fun neighborhood gatherings! Great memories!
Our love to you all, Jill Wickham Marten and Jean Wickham
Mrs. Casella was my art teacher for 9 years at St. Cletus. She was so nice and so patient. She inspired me to be the creative person I am today. Thank you Mrs. Casella for everything you taught me. I will forever remember you and be appreciative.
Such great memories! She will be dearly missed. ❤️
Our sympathies to the Casella family and their extended family. We were neighbors for many years and I babysat the Casella kids when I was a teenager. There were many fun times in the neighborhood that are great memories. Love and prayers, Jill Wickham Marten and Jean Wickham
Ellen and Mike McGrath say:
I have known Karen since our days at Aquinas High Shool, and she was always cheerful, kind, and concerned about everyone around her. Such a good friend, Such a fun girl to be around. Mike and I shared many bright snd memorable times in the company of Karen and Bernie. So much laughter. So much warmth. She and Bernie were always so proud of their children and grandchildren. Our love and sympathy to each of you.
Karen was a gift. A loving and generous woman.
Karen was a friend and co-worker at the Reception Desk at the CSJ Center. She was always willing to help anyone in need, not only her fellow receptionists, but Sisters and other staff members too. She will be sorely missed.
Karen loved her family very much, and always had a huge smile on her face when she spoke about her children and grandchildren. May all of you be surrounded by God’s comfort and peace as you remember Karen.
We are so sorry to hear about Mrs. Casella. She was a favorite teacher of many at St. Cletus, including my children., She will be missed by many, Prayers go out to the Casella family and may Mrs. Casella rest in peace.
Karen was an inspiring Mother, Grandmother and Human Being.
May she rest in peace with our loveing God and with all our Beloveds who have gone before us.
Karen was always a ray of sunshine whenever one entered the CSJ Center and she was working the desk. What a blessing to so many!! Keeping Karen and her beloved family in my prayers.
Dear Casella and Geary Family,
I first knew Karen as my art teacher at St. Bride’s, and then when I was a friend of Mary’s during our high school years. I became reacquainted with her about 10 years ago when she did the calligraphy for my daughter’s wedding invitations. We received many compliments on how beautifully the invitations were addressed. I would see Karen at mass occasionally, and she was always so friendly and gracious. I am sure she will be missed by all of you. Please know that I will keep you all in my prayers at this sad time.
Sheila McGuire Hansen
I have known Carie Casella Kessler for many years(through High School)now and I just today found of her mom’s passing. Both Karen and Mr. Casella were such nice folks and passed their niceness on to their children and through their children to all they knew. To all you kids, prayers for your Mom and Dad from myself my family…
She was my art teacher the whole time I went to St. Cletus and she was by far the best teacher I ever had in my life. She was the only one I remember having a positive influence on me in all of my years there. She was amazing. She inspired me to use my artistic abilities to carve out a life still perusing art to this day. I actually make a living selling stuff with my art on it. I owe it all to her. She was the one who initially inspired my lifelong love of art! What a wonderful person who will be missed by everyone who ever knew her. I just feel great she got to inspire me the way she did. That will never leave me. Thanks mrs. c.
While a large portion of time has passed since she was my teacher (30 years), Karen gave me great confidence in the art room while a teacher at St. Cletus. I will be forever thankful to her for giving me the confidence and believing in my abilities as a student learning to draw, passions that I share with my students to this day. She will be missed and I am hopeful she is drawing right now from above. Thank you for always believing in me, Mrs. Casella.