Marisa Bernardi Frecska

Marisa Bernardi Frecska, 85, passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024, in Gurnee, IL. She was born Dec. 29, 1938, in S. Anna Pelago, Modena, Italy, was formerly of Highland Park and a Deerfield resident for many years. She was a member of Holy Cross Catholic Church in Deerfield. The eldest of three daughters, Marisa came to America with her family as a teen in 1954 and went right to work. She married when she was 21 years old. Marisa always worked and raised her children dutifully. During her motherhood, she studied for the Real Estate license and became a realtor. Eventually she saw a need in the market for a new entrepreneurship. At a time in the early 1980’s when pasta became an American food craze, she opened Pasta Fresca, a pasta shop and lunch restaurant in Deerfield. The community raved at her homemade Northern Italian recipes. She catered weddings, graduations and special events all across the North Shore. Marisa was way ahead of her time. She was strong, outspoken and a progressive thinker. She was very social, enjoying time spent with her friends, loved her garden, Italian music and dancing. Dancing with the Stars was a favorite TV program, both the American version and Italian version. For the past 25 years she spent winters in Florida enjoying the sun and social activities. Like many Italian women, she had strong opinions and if you asked for one, she gave it to you, whether you liked it or not. Her advice was always from the heart. She was smart, witty and fun. She was well traveled and loved to get on a plane and go somewhere. Marisa will be missed by her family, her friends here on the North Shore, in Florida, and her friends and relatives in Italy. Surviving are 2 children, Elizabeth “Liz” (Ahmed) Hawari and Richard “Rick” Frecska (Tori English); 2 Grandchildren, Michelle (Michele) and Alexander Hawari; 2 sisters, Rina Bartolai and Wilma Lorigo: and neices and nephews include Fabio Bartolai, Sonia (David) Onan, and Bridgette (Sam) Dougherty. She was preceded in death by her parents, Angelo and Clementina (Ori) Bernardi. Visitation will be from 9:00 am until time of Funeral Mass at 10:00 am on Monday, Feb. 19, 2024, at Holy Cross Catholic Church 724 Elder Lane, Deerfield, IL. Interment is private in Ascension Cemetery, Libertyville. Arrangements by the Burnett-Dane Funeral Home in Libertyville. Info: 847-362-3009 or please share a memory at www.burnettdane.

Marisa Bernardi Frecska

December 29, 1938 - February 13, 2024