Catherine "Cathy" M. Villinski

Catherine (“Cathy”) M. Villinski, 87, passed away on Sunday, August 31, 2025, in Glenview, IL surrounded by family. Cathy was born in Chicago, IL to Americo and Stella (nee Majewski) Monco. She will be dearly missed.

Cathy grew up on the north side of Chicago and graduated from Alvernia High School. She attended Loyola University Chicago and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She was a member of Alpha Tau Delta, the National Fraternity for Professional Nurses.

Working as a nurse meant a great deal to her. Cathy’s dedicated efforts to serve the health of others found a home at the Fahey Medical Center in Des Plaines, IL. As a nurse and administrator for Dr. Martin Fahey, she knew she had found her calling.

She met her husband and beloved companion, Vince, through his close friendship with her brother Walt, and they were married in 1973 at St. Robert Bellarmine Parish. They lived for a few years in the Old Town neighborhood of Chicago before settling in Arlington Heights, IL where they began to raise a family. While Cathy continued the administrative work for Dr. Fahey, her primary focus became raising her children, Joseph and Stephanie, and supporting Vince’s career. She did not miss an opportunity to share how proud she was of her family.

Cathy was a long-time resident of Arlington Heights. Her Roman Catholic faith was important to her, and she became a parishioner at St. James Catholic Church. She was active at the grammar and high schools where her children attended, St. James Catholic School and St. Viator High School. Cathy enjoyed being “picture lady” where she would bring in prints of famous paintings and teach children about the artists and their paintings. She also enjoyed fundraising and found a particular interest in securing donated gifts for school auctions.

In her spare time, she enjoyed quality time with family and friends. She also was an artist -- her impeccable handwriting and masterpiece-type coloring drew raves. Cathy valued a long phone conversation, dinners and trips with Vince, family celebrations, connecting people, supporting the arts (especially the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Ravinia), sweet treats, reading the newspaper, a good laugh, and being Nana to her grandchildren Evan and Nora. She had a keen wit and delivered a good one-liner that others appreciated.

Despite significant health challenges over the past decade and losing her husband of 44 years in 2017, Cathy demonstrated tremendous resiliency, even though some days were harder than others. Cathy’s life was lived in service to others, and she instilled that value in both her children who carry it forward today.

Cathy is survived by her children, Joe (Allison) Villinski and Stephanie Villinski; grandchildren, Evan and Nora Villinski; brother, Dean (Cristina) Monco; nephews, Nick and John (Jackie) Monco; great-nephews, Jackson, Luke, and Lincoln and great-niece, Audrey; and many special cousins with whom Catherine shared a close bond.

Catherine is preceded in death by her cherished husband Vincent E. Villinski; parents; and brother, Walter Monco.

Visitation from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm, Thursday, September 11th, 2025, at Glueckert Funeral Home, 1520 North Arlington Heights Road (four blocks south of Palatine Road), Arlington Heights, IL 60004. The funeral mass will start at 1:00 PM, Friday, September 12th, 2025, at St. James Catholic Church, 831 N Arlington Heights Rd, Arlington Heights, IL 60004. Interment will follow at Maryhill Catholic Cemetery in Niles, IL.

In lieu of flowers, a donation in Catherine’s memory can be made Ravinia’s Reach Teach Play programs (link:https://www.ravinia.org/programs/reach-teach-play/support-reach-teach-play) or Loyola University Chicago’s Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing (link:https://loyolauniversitychicago3.my.site.com/ascendportal/s/give?appeal=25Y02) (under the Direct Your Gift section, click on “Show More+” and select nursing school).