Caroline A. Andrews

She was a devoted mother to Linda, Glenn (9/28/53 - 11/23/53), Janice (Ken) Smith and Jim (Nancy) Andrews; beloved grandmother of Matt (Jill) and Brian Smith and Mike and Chris Andrews; loving great grandmother of Zoey and Ivy Smith. She was the cherished “Auntie Car” of many nieces and nephews.

Caroline was born on November 17, 1924, in Chicago, IL. She was the second of three daughters born to Biaggio and Teresa Reggimento. Her beloved parents and two sisters, Lucy (Perry) and Irene (Eitermann), preceded her in death. Her sisters were her lifelong friends.

Growing up during the Great Depression, Caroline learned to make the best with what her family had while developing a deep devotion to family, which became hallmarks of her life. Caroline attended Catholic primary school and public high school with secretarial training, which launched her into the working world. On the weekends, she could be seen on dance floors throughout Chicago dancing the weekend away. Caroline also enjoyed bowling. She married in 1949 and began a family. The family moved to a new home in a developing Des Plaines in 1959.

Family was the most important thing to Caroline. She demonstrated this, as she became a single sole supporting parent of three. She took a full time position as a secretary at Federal Pacific Electric and worked as a waitress on the weekends to do the best for her family. She always found a way to provide needs, wants and make occasions special. She eventually fought for and earned an inside sales position. She retired in 1991. Family dinners on Sunday with her sisters and their families was a favorite activity. She was most proud of owning her own home and her three children graduating college.

Caroline was giving, sassy, tough and “a class act”. She was strong, funny, tasteful and elegant with unfiltered honesty. She enjoyed cooking, shopping, dressing well, gardening and reading newspapers and magazines. She was a trooper through all the challenges life brought her, accepting it as part of life and doing the best she could. We are heartbroken, but her example is a loving guide. All of her will be missed!

Her life will be honored with a visitation at Oehler Funeral Home on Monday, June 26, 2023 from 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM (2099 Miner St., Des Plaines). On Tuesday, June 27 we will be meeting at St. Stephen the Protomartyr Church for the funeral mass starting at 10:00 AM (280 Prospect Ave., Des Plaines). There will be a luncheon at Club Casa Cafe following mass (353 N. River Rd., Des Plaines).

In lieu of flowers the family asks that a donation be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.OehlerFuneralHome.com for the Andrews family.