Those we've lost to COVID-19: Carmen Siciliano of Batavia
COVID-19 has taken the lives of more than 15,000 people in Illinois, including about 6,200 from the suburbs. We're sharing the stories of some of those we've lost.
Carmen and Mary Siciliano started married life in a one-room apartment during World War II. They ended it 76 years later in a fifth-floor hospital room they shared with COVID-19. Carmen, 98, died on Nov. 12 at Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove, six days after he was given a bed next to Mary, who was diagnosed with the coronavirus first.
Carmen was wearing his World War II veteran's hat when he died. Mary's bed was pushed close enough for her to touch her husband's arm as they listened to a recording of Nat King Cole. Mary is doing much better and living in a skilled nursing facility in Batavia, said their daughters, Joyce Siciliano Andringa of Aurora and Gail Siciliano Grazian of Naperville.
At their 75th anniversary party in 2019, Carmen and Mary shared tips for a happy marriage.
"We never went to bed angry," Mary said.
"We always kissed before going to bed," Carmen added.
- Burt Constable