Filomena Alberga

Filomena, or Nonna as she was known to many, grew up in the backdrop of World War II in a little southern commune known as Bitritto. The eldest of three, she learned how to help her mother cook the family recipes, mend shirts and pants, tend to the family’s quaint farm and gardens, and of course take care of her brother and sister. Showing talent as a fashion designer, she was accepted into a private academy for fashion design. As a young adult, she would later meet her future husband, Pasquale (“Pat”), and they would choose to immigrate for opportunity to the United States. The two wed on the backdrop of a brisk spring day on April 28th, 1962 in Chicago, IL. She would work tirelessly hard, using her talents as a seamstress, to provide for her family. Filomena spent every day learning English with her well-worn Italian-English dictionary and she became a naturalized citizen of the United States in 1974. She eventually found her opportunity in America by opening a premier wedding dress store, La Visione, on Michigan Avenue and making Miss USA state pageant dresses for Miss Iowa. This culminated into a fashion show of her works at The Limelight (formerly Excalibur nightclub). In her retirement, she enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, talking with her friends and family, tending to her garden, and cooking fresh food every day. She was very devout with her Catholicism, and attended Mass every Sunday, even remotely.

Filomena is survived by her children, grandchildren, siblings, and many extended family: Rina Seibt, daughter | Vito Alberga, son | Sara Seibt, granddaughter | Michael Seibt, grandson | CaraMia Alberga, granddaughter | Maria Cammarata, sister | Steve Pastorelli, brother.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Pasquale Alberga, and parents, Michele and Annuziata Pastorelli.

A visitation for Filomena will be held on Sunday, October 27 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Oehler Funeral Home, 2099 Miner Street, Des Plaines. A funeral service will follow on Monday, October 28 at 10:00 AM at Our Lady of Ransom Catholic Church, 8300 N. Greenwood Ave., Niles. Entombment will follow immediately at All Saints Cemetery, 700 N. River Road, Des Plaines.

In lieu of flowers, donations in dedication of her memory to St. Jude's Children Hospital would be greatly appreciated. Condolences and fond memories of Filomena can be shared at www.OehlerFuneralHome.com