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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
HONORING THE LIFE OF JO ANN SERPICO, IN MEMORIAM
WHEREAS, Jo Ann Serpico was a pillar of the Italian-American community in the Chicago area since the 1960s, died April 23, 2024; and
WHEREAS, Jo Ann Serpico's work in the community was in honor of her father, Joseph R. who was an early organizer of the Chicago area's Italian-American community's many societies and clubs and founded Rosario D. Salerno Sons Funeral Homes; and
WHEREAS, Jo Ann Salerno was born in 1941; and graduated from St. Mary's High School, attended Marquette University and graduated from Worsham College of Mortuary Science; and
WHEREAS, she married Phillip Serpico in 1961 and raised their three sons, Philip, Joseph and Christopher; the family settled in Elmwood Park where Jo Ann served with distinction in leadership in both community organizations and public service, holding leadership positions in Elm School PTA, Elmwood Park Women's Club, Infant Welfare Society, and Elmwood Park Friends of the Library. She served as an Elmwood Park Village Trustee, Republican Committeewoman and Precinct Captain; and
WHEREAS, after serving as a village health inspector, Jo Ann spent 25 years as a health facility surveyor for the Illinois Department of Public Health. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in public service administration, was registered as a sanitarian, and earned certification as an environmental health practitioner and specialist; and
WHEREAS, in 1990 Jo Ann became a member of the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans (JCCIA), becoming its second woman president; and since 2010 served as executive director; and
WHEREAS, Jo Ann is also a former president of the Calabrese in America Organization and Maroons Ladies Club; past secretary of the Italo American Soccer Club, Social Club "Maroons" and the Italian Americans War Veterans Joseph Gentile Post 2; and
WHEREAS, she was a founding member of the Casa Italia Board of Directors and served as corporate secret...
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