Angela C. (Vella) Basile

Angela C. (Vella) Basile, 89

Devoted to our Blessed Mother, Angela embraced the joy of her loving arms on Friday, May 26, 2023, in her home surrounded by family.   Angela was gifted with many talents, now her legacies. She was a master gardener, fantastic cook, prayerful Catholic, immaculate housekeeper, leader in fashion, traveler, piano player and trophy fisherwoman. These talents touched all of us in different ways but each in a positive way. Our mom was rich in love and implanted in us unforgettable memories.  Angela was born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and was a proud resident of the Third Ward. It was there she met her lifelong friends, Carolyn, Rosie, Frances and Mary Ann. They said they would be friends until the end, and indeed they were.  Next, there was the move to Long Island Drive, which established roots for all of us, and a rich inheritance of beautiful neighbors now referred to as good friends.  High school years took us to the farmhouse on a dirt road in Sussex, Wisconsin that Mom quickly converted into the modern decade.  Retirement years brought Mom and Dad to Tomahawk, Wisconsin, where they moved into their summer fishing shack. Eventually renovated from the ground up to a Northwoods paradise retreat, it hosted hundreds of parties, family gatherings, and a unique group of friends aptly named “The River Rats”.  Tomahawk and fishing runs through the veins in all of us.  As Angela’s health began to decline, she spent the last chapters of her life in Rockford, Illinois where she was closer to family.  She was a servant to St. Mary’s Church, Tomahawk, Wisconsin, where she spent time cleaning, preparing the hosts and singing in the choir. She was also a member of Holy Family Catholic Church, Rockford, Illinois and the Venetian Club.  We witnessed the joy in our mom’s face when a grandchild or great-grandchild entered the room – it lit up like the Northern Lights. We believe she is now experiencing that same ultimate light of joy a million times over.

Survivors: husband; Ralph of 68 years; seven children, Nina (Joe) Colacino, Tana (Jeff) Girardin, JoJo (Joey) Mioni, Lisa Tuffy, Peter (Gina) Basile, Gina (Doug) Seefeld, Johnny (MaryLynn) Basile; 14 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 7, 2023 at St. Rita’s Catholic Church, 1617 N Cass St., Milwaukee, Wis. Celebration of Life will be from 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. at Carini’s Restaurant, 3468 N Oakland Ave., Milwaukee, Wis., with a luncheon to follow.
 

Memorials will be applied to a gift of Angela’s passion, to be determined.

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