Amelia Dennison

Amelia Dennison -- Plano, TexasAmelia Dennison saw her life's journey end 20 October 2008 in Plano, Texas, surrounded by her family. She was 72 years old. She was born 23 January 1936 in Kankakee, Ill. to Saverio "Sam" Mazza and Giuseppina "Josephine" Rende, who imigrated from Italy in the early 1900s. After graduating in 1953 from St. Patrick High School, Amelia worked for the city of Kankakee until her marriage.She married Roger Dennison 15 December 1956 in Bradley. He died 23 June 1998. She proclaimed the "love of her life" by continuously wearing an "I Love Roger" pin on her lapel for the 10 years since his death. She cherished her family, fed them her famous fried chicken, Easter bread, apricot salad and blackberry cake. Her wonderful homemade pizza bespoke of her Italian heritage and paid honor to her mother who taught her to cook. Amelia was proficient with words, filling in crossword puzzles and playing Scrabble. She loved people -- family, old friends and any stranger she happened to meet. She was a devout Cubs fan.Amelia and Roger's longtime home was in Bourbonnais, then following his retirement, they wintered in "the valley" in southern Texas where they collected many new friends. Amelia moved permanently to Plano, Texas three years ago.She is survived by a daughter, Mary Beth Dennison of Plano; three sons and daughters-in-law, Rick and Christel Dennison of Bradley, Randy and Julie Dennison of Plano, Ronald and Linda Dennison of Speonk, N.Y. Surviving grandchildren and spouses are Helena, Curtis, Serena, Jeremy and Cindy, Brett and Ashley, Anthony and Heather, Andrew and Kayla, Krista, Anna, Beth, Sarah, A.J., Michelle, Gus and Angie, Nicole and Laura. Surviving great-grandchildren and spouses are Jordan, Kayla, Brenden, Courtney and Michael, Alex, Riley, Brittany, Isabella and Angel.Amelia was the sixth of seven children born to Sam and Josephine Mazza. Surviving her are three sisters and one brother-in-law, Mary Koivisto of North Carolina, Carmella Coyne of Bourbonnais, Rose and Walter Dupuis of Bradley; one brother and sister-in-law, James and Kathy Mazza of Arlington, Texas; also a sister-in-law, Cynthia Dennison of St. Charles; and a brother-in-law, Larry Dennison of Arizona. She was preceded in death by her husband, a brother, Ralph Mazza; and a half-sister, Theresa Taylor.Arrangements are by the Clancy-Gernon Funeral Home, Bourbonnais, where visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday. Funeral services will be held there at 10 a.m. Saturday, with burial in All Saints Cemetery, Bourbonnais. Memorials in her name may be made to Friends Place, an adult daycare center in Richardson, Texas, where Amelia made so many new friends.

Amelia Dennison

January 23, 1936 - October 20, 2008