OBITUARY
Maureen Baricelli
February 10, 1956 – August 2, 2020
Maureen Karen Baricelli, nee Nelson, age 64, of Grapevine, Texas, passed away peacefully in her home on August 2, 2020. She was born in Chicago, Illinois, on February 10. Maureen graduated from Taft High School and went on to obtain her degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. On July 29, she celebrated 25 years of marriage to her husband, Daniel. Maureen spent the majority of her career as a Customer Service Agent with British Airways. She was a proud member of VASA – Swedish/American Organization DFW. Maureen had a passion for gardening, golf, and spending time with family, especially her 3 granddaughters. She was preceded in death by her father Howard R Nelson, her mother Mary V Nelson. She is survived by husband Daniel, loving mother of Christopher Popp, Jennifer (Aaron) Cerrato, and cherished grandmother of Audrey Popp, Abigail and Juniper Cerrato.
Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00pm, Wednesday, August 5, 2020 at Foust and Son Funeral Home.
Visitation will be on Friday, August 7, 2020 from 5:00-8:00pm at Skaja Funeral Home in Niles, IL. Funeral services will be on Saturday, August 8, 2020 at 11am at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Chicago, IL. Burial will follow at Bohemian National Cemetery in Chicago.
Services
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Visitation
Wednesday, August 5, 2020
Memories
Maureen Baricelli
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ADD A MEMORYGifty Slusher
August 12, 2020
Awww Mo. You said you were going to be back so we can go to Ghana together. This is not fair😭. Maureen is the most kind and friendliest person with big smiles and hugs. I remember following her to the baggage area when she trained me in baggage tracing. On our way to and from the baggage I lost count how many friends she hugged. I said Mo looks like you're friends with the whole DFW airport. She turned around with big smile and HUGGED me too. I'm very sad because Maureen is that beautiful person. You will always remain in my heart Mo. May your gentle and loving soul rest in heavely peace.
Marcy Roitman-Boothe
August 6, 2020
After her British Airways career, Maureen came to work at the Grapevine Convention & Visitors Bureau. Every Monday morning, there was a staff meet that kicked off with the “new kid on the block” being introduced followed by a few words from the newest member of the team. Maureen shared that she was a native Chicagoan and graduated from the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana. BAM...an instant connection was made and friendship formed because I, too, am from Chicagoland, relatively close to where Maureen was raised, and an U of I graduate. We could share about our Chicago haunts and beloved “Fighting Illini”. The chants from our colleagues about their Aggies, Longhorns, Red Raiders etc finally disappeared into the background as we had our own club.
Last year, I was returning from Chicago on an AA flight and the middle seat was vacant. The man in the window seat and I had just commented on how lucky we were to have a vacant seat between us. Then, a passenger came to our row to take that seat: it was Maureen. When we realized we knew each other and were seated together, we hugged like long lost friends. We proceeded to gab and laugh the entire flight. It was so much fun and was the fastest flight ever! Maureen offered to drive me home since Danny was picking her up and we lived in the same neighborhood: always thinking of others.
I was very impressed by Maureen’s devotion to her elderly Aunt in Chicago. Maureen visited many times each year to look after her and make sure she was well cared for. Maureen was a wonderful niece!
Maureen was a warrior against the unwelcome disease that invaded her body and waged a valiant fight to overcome it while keeping the most positive attitude. I will miss Maureen’s positivity, infectious laugh and seeing her on walks around our neighborhood.
Maureen has left this world a better place, and I am a better person for having known her.
May Maureen’s memory forever be for a blessing,
Connie Cali
August 6, 2020
Maureen was truly an exceptional human being. She possessed so many wonderful traits and talents.....intelligence, commitment and strength, coupled with creativity, wit and humor and above all...she had a huge heart ❤️. If a job needed to be done well...Maureen was the person to do it. Her passion for Customer Service and for British Airways was unmatched. DFW was so lucky to have had her as a part of our team. It was a privilege to have worked with you Maureen. The world has lost a special person way too soon. My deepest condolences go out to Danny and the family.
Debra Papert
August 6, 2020
Maureen Was an amazingly strong woman. We worked, danced and sang together. Mo always had her dancing shoes on and loved music. She enjoyed life and shared her kindness And infectious laugh with all who had the good fortune to meet her. The strength, courage and tenacity she showed over the last several years was inspiring. Mo you are loved and missed!
Sylvia Esparza
August 5, 2020
When I met Maureen - I told her she should have been working in BA sales; because she could go to an event not knowing a soul and at the end of the event. She knew at least 50% of the people and got sales leads. She had a great personality and always made us laugh. She will be greatly missed by so many. Rest In Peace my friend. ❤️
Mark Anderson
August 5, 2020
I met Maureen in the IOC parking lot, as her and Danny we’re just leaving. I was amazed how open and warm she was. She made me feel as if we had been friends for a long time.
Although our meeting was brief, I realized I had met someone very special.
Ivanka Dekovski
August 5, 2020
Maureen,
You have always been so good to me, my son and to everyone that has ever been around you. You loved us when we were at our best and also when we were at our worst. You always (no exception) showered us with light, laughter and joy. You could turn a bad day around in no time, you could brighten the shiniest one. I have no idea how this was humanly possible but you could do that, and so effortlessly. I am eternally grateful for your incredible generosity and please forgive the void of sadness and emptiness I am feeling right now after your untimely departure. It is incredibly reassuring to know you were part of this broken world and you were one of those who could always keep it together somehow. I miss you now and I alwfays will!
Carolyn Snyder
August 5, 2020
Maureen was always so full of life and so fun to be around. She will be missed by everyone who knew her.
Dean Cunningham
August 5, 2020
Mo
More then the best of friend.....my TX sister.
Stood by me during tough times....never judged.....always there.
Through everything she never gave up. NEVER !
Strongest person I've ever known.
I will miss you so much !
Devalekha Mallik
August 4, 2020
You leave us with so many memories our dear friend. They are filled with funny stories, sage advice, peals of laughter, sagas shared over meals and glasses of wine and celebrations . You will continue to inspire us to live life to the fullest, to love and appreciate what we have in our lives and to fight for what is right. The void your dancing shoes have left cannot be filled. Our hearts are heavy as we send our condolences to Danny, Jenny , Chris and the rest of your family. May your soul Rest In Peace in your new abode till we meet again
Letticia Howland
August 4, 2020
When I think of Maureen boisterous comes to mind. Maureen had such wonderful positive energy. Maureen was real. Real in the best possible way. She made one feel loved.
Bunco was where I met Maureen. She made bunco extra enjoyable, extra fun, extra laughs all around.
I will miss Maureen and am very grateful to have rolled many dice with her.
I have a couple of pics from our many buncos a throughout the years. Here is one of my favorites.
Wendy Epperson
August 4, 2020
It was such a pleasure to get to know Maureen while working with her at British Airways. She was passionate about really everything she did; she was the spirit of the team @DFW. She loved to have a good laugh and her’s was infectious. She will be sorely missed by all of those who had the good fortune to know her. 💜
The photo attached is Danny and Maureen in Dubai years ago.
donna blanchard
August 4, 2020
Our memories of working with Maureen and the British Airways team in Chicago years ago are of fun and hard work, always with smiles and laughter and dedication. I don't ever remember Maureen not smiling deeply! It was a joy for Colin and I when Maureen married Danny, our very dear friend from old New York days. They made a wonderful and joyous couple. And how lovely it was for me to work again with Maureen for a short time during our lives "after BA"! We will miss her greatly. Godspeed, Maureen, you are now the guardian angel in Heaven to your children and grandchildren, and to Danny too.
John & Melissa Schmitt
August 4, 2020
We loved going to Maureen and Danny’s home having dinner with good friends and top off the evening by seeing her in laws that live next door. Maureen was such a positive person always on the go and smiling. We love you Rest In Peace.
Kevin & Deb Clinkenbeard
August 4, 2020
When we moved into the neighborhood, we were greeted by Maureen. She was so welcoming and gave a comfortable feeling to the neighborhood. Maureen seemed to know everyone around and took the time to get to know them.
I know Maureen had a lot of friends all over. It seemed like every time I talked to her, she was either coming back or going to Chicago, or other areas, to visit her friends. How nice that she went to the effort to continue friendships, even though she lived so far away.
Maureen had an incredible green thumb. I was lucky enough to see her beautiful garden in her lovely backyard. It was so great when she picked the green beans right off the vine to give to me, we really enjoyed those fresh green beans.
Many of us on the street and surrounding area would get together once a month to play Bunco. How much fun it was to get to know so many ladies and visit for two hours a month. Maureen was one of the best at making everyone get it together, from timing to the money. One time the pot was one short, and Maureen wanted to know who forgot to pay their money? Everyone said they put their money in, and then after a bit, Maureen said, “Oops, it was me!”. Then she just laughed and laughed. We all laughed along with her.
Maureen will be greatly missed. She had such a fun spirit, was so kind and adored her family.
Rest in peace my friend.
Kevin & Deb Clinkenbeard
Diana Carman
August 3, 2020
Maureen,
You have been and always will hold a special place in my heart. You encouraged me to come play Bunco (a game I had no previous knowledge of) and what a blast we would have with the neighbors. You were the main money counter at these games and sometimes loud and between you and Marvis I am not sure who was the loudest. Never a problem though as we all liked the excitement of the game.
Your thoughtfulness and always smiling face will be missed. God chose a very special person to take under his wing. He just took you to early.
I miss you terribly but I know in my heart you are at peace.
Deepest regrets,
Greg & Diana Carman