Pauline Rose Nardulli

Pauline Rose Nardulli (nee Hafeman) age 100, formerly from Melrose Park, IL. Passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Saturday December 31, 2022. Beloved wife of the late Frank Nardulli. Loving mother of Steven (Joyce) Nardulli, Deborah (Richard) Bruce, Philip (Mary) Nardulli, Jim (Jamie) Nardulli, Denise Heeren. Cherished grandmother of Monica (Mike) Simpson, Jessica (Brent Colbert) Nardulli, Jake Nardulli, Rachel (Mike) Somer-Bruce, Ryan Bruce, Joshua Nardulli, Michael (Sara) Nardulli, James Nardulli, Ashley Nardulli, Katie Nardulli, Kelsey (Levi) Feller, TJ Eddy, Christopher Heeren, AJ Heeren and Brittney Heeren. Adored great-grandmother of Emma Williams, Britton Williams, Sam Colbert, Rory Colbert, Caleb Colbert, Aiden Somer-Bruce, Asher Nardulli and Adelaide Heeren. Beloved aunt of many nieces and nephews. She will be missed dearly by all of her family and friends.

Pauline Rose Nardulli was born on February 4, 1922, on a farm in Antigo, Wisconsin to Herman and Amy Hafeman. She was the youngest of five children: Margaret, Corabell, Herman and Ruth. At the age of 18, her family moved to Chicago, Illinois where she studied nursing at The American School of Nursing in the years during World War II. Following the war, she worked as a nurse in Chicago, Illinois

Shortly after moving to Chicago she met Frank Nardulli while swinging on a swing in LaFollette Park, near his home on the west side of Chicago. In 1949 she and Frank were reacquainted. After a very short courtship they married in California on July 30, 1949. They stayed in California and immediately started a family, welcoming Steve in April, 1950. When Steve was six months old Frank and Pauline decided to return to Chicago to be close to family, driving straight through from California to Chicago on Route 66. They settled on Monitor Avenue, where they were able to continue a close relationship with both the Hafeman and Nardulli extended families. Pauline became a stay-at-home mom. Pauline and Frank grew their family with Deborah (1952), Philip (1953) Jim (1956) and Denise (1959). Five was apparently enough.

By 1962 Pauline and Frank realized their home on Monitor was bursting at the seams. They remained on the west side, moving to a larger home on Race Ave. where they remained until 1972. Despite all odds, they raised five children in a home with one bathroom and no shower.

Pauline lived the rest of her life in Illinois. After Denise started grade school she returned to nursing and served her community as a Registered Nurse. She remained at St. Anne’s Hospital until her retirement in 1990. During her time at St. Anne’s she served as Head Nurse in several different departments, including Orthopedics and Emergency Services.

Pauline and Frank remained happily married until his untimely death in 1976.

From the time she moved to Chicago in the early 1940s Pauline has been a faithful member of St. Paul (Austin) Lutheran Church. She and Frank would shepherd all five children through St. Paul’s grammar school. She remained a faithful member of St. Paul’s for the remainder of her life, a period of more than 80 years.

From 1972 until 1989 Pauline lived in Oak Park. In 1989 she moved to Melrose Park, where she lovingly tended to her flower garden, which provided her with enormous joy.

Through the years Pauline’s family grew. Her children, Steve, (Joyce); Debbie, (Richard); Phil, (Mary); Jim, (Jamie) and Denise provided her with 13 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. She loved and doted on them all.

Near the end of her life, she moved with her son Phil and his wife, Mary, to Ottawa, IL where she peacefully passed away on Saturday, December 31st at the age of 100 surrounded by her children. Because of the holidays, her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren had the blessed opportunity to say good-bye and tell Pauline how much they truly loved her.

In lieu of flowers please make a memorial donation in Paulines honor to St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital or Saint Paul (Austin) Lutheran Church of Chicago, IL.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.woodlawnchicago.com for the Nardulli family.