Amelia P. Dirienzo

Amelia DiRienzo (née Tamburini) of La Porte, IN and formally of South Chicago Heights, IL, peacefully passed away on November 13, 2022. She was a caring wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend.

Amelia was born on April 24, 1922 in Chicago Heights to Louis and Rosa Tamburini (née Baldassarri).

On September 27, 1947 she married Gene "Goody" DiRienzo.  Amelia was a hard-working woman working at Diamond Wire, Illinois Shade Cloth Company, Flintkote Company, Weber Castillo, and retired from Stead Textile.

Amelia was a member of St. Liborius Church and Former St. Rocco. She was also a President, Vice President, and Member of the Nifty Over Fifty Club, and President of the local Mother Cabrini Society. She enjoyed cooking, watching her beloved Days of Our Lives Soap Opera, reading books on famous people, and People Magazine. Mostly her enjoyment was found spending time with friends and family.

Amelia was a kind, caring, and giving person who always put the needs of her family before her own. She was a strong woman who faced every challenge in her life with courage and dignity. Amelia was a source of inspiration to us all and she will be deeply missed by everyone whose lives she touched.

Amelia was preceded in death by her parents (Silvio and Rosa Baldassarri), husband Goody, son-in-law (Lawrence Cameron), five sisters (Ida, Filomena, Theresa, Licia, and Louise), and grand daughter Mary Angela Cameron. She is survived by her children, Cheryl Cameron and Mary (Jim) Wellnitz, her granddaughter Katie (Gregg) Kmiecik, and step-grandson Brian Wellnitz. She was the proud Granny to her great-granddaughter Charlotte Kmiecik. Also survived by many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. Finally, thank you to mom’s dedicated caregiver,  Beth Masters. She became a close friend to mom and provided a safe environment for mom to share her feelings and thoughts. For this we are ever grateful. Thank you to Caleb the comfort dog from LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry for providing comfort to mom in her last days. And our nurse friends Alicia, Christina, and Rebecca for helping mom to her journey home. In lieu of flowers memorial donations to St. Liborius Church is appreciated.

Visitation Saturday, November 19, 2022 at Smits-Steger Memorial Chapel, 3045 Chicago Rd. Steger, Illinois from 9:00-11:00am with mass to follow at 11:30 am at St. Liborius Church, 71 W 35 ^th St., Steger, Illinois. Burial to follow at Calvary Cemetery, Steger. Arrangements entrusted to Steger Memorial Chapel, Steger, IL. For further information, please contact 708-755-6100 or visit our online obituary and guestbook at www.SMITSFH.com .