September 21, 1921 – October 28, 2021
Aida “Edith” Fleming died peacefully in her sleep at the age of 100 on October 28, 2021. She is survived by her children, Kenneth Steigerwald (Darlene), Juliette Looye (Adrian), Peter Fleming, and Paul Fleming; her daughter-in-law, Patricia Steigerwald; her granddaughters, Shannon Steigerwald Murray (John Fremgen) and Quinn Steigerwald; her great-granddaughter, Georgiana Murray; her siblings, Lou Mirabelli (Elvie), Theresa Cale, Joseph Mirabelli (Marion), and John Mirabelli (Julie); and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. She is predeceased by her sister Irma Gajda and her son Patrick Steigerwald.
Aida was born on September 21, 1921, to Enrico and Marianna Mirabelli in Cosenza, Calabria, Italy. Her father named her after the Verdi opera he so loved, but after Aida and her family settled in Chicago in 1929, one of her teachers changed her name to Edith.
Young Edith flourished in her new school and life in America. She quickly learned English and loved to read and sing. Even at the end of her life, she would recite the lengthy poems and sing the songs she had learned in grammar school.
Edith was a devoted daughter, mother, sister, and friend. She enjoyed entertaining family and friends, and she always had pastries and coffee ready whenever anyone stopped by for a visit. Holidays were also happy times for Edith, especially Thanksgiving and Christmas. During Thanksgiving dinner, she often would recount the story of her arrival in Chicago on Thanksgiving Day, 1929. And during the weeks leading up to Christmas, she and her family loved decorating their home and making traditional Italian cookies and seafood dishes in preparation for the festivities.
Edith’s thoughtfulness, kind heart, and generous spirit will be missed by everyone who knew her. But after she lived such a long and full life, we are grateful for her peaceful passing, and we know she’s being welcomed with joy and celebration as she reunites with her loved ones and joins her Creator.
A viewing will be held from 9:30-10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, November 3, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 4801 Main Street, Downers Grove. Mass will follow at 10:30. Burial will be at Queen of Heaven Cemetery, 1400 S. Wolf Road, Hillside. A luncheon will follow at Gatto’s, 5123 Main Street, Downers Grove.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to your charity of choice.
To all the families that have supported my father, Jim, throughout his 45 years as a funeral director, I hope you will continue to let me serve you moving forward.
Julie that was a beautiful tribute to your Mother… She was the greatest lady…I have known her for years.. She was always nice to me, my children, & grandchildren..Whenever I would see her she always asked about them.. I always teased her & said I was her favorite & she would laugh with that wonderful smile of hers & say yes you are… She will be missed by all.. Loved when she would sing in Italian… My heart is full of fond memories of her… Loved her… May she Rest In Peace…
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