Marilou Abundo Calvario

Marilou Abundo Calvario, affectionately known as Malou to her friends and Ate Be to her siblings, passed away peacefully at the age of 69 on April 8, 2024, at her Bloomingdale, Illinois home, surrounded by family. Beloved wife of Ricardo Calvario; devoted mother to Kristin (Matthew) Suma, Richard (Lindsay), and Michelle. Adored
grandmother of Sydney, Jack, Sophia, Jacob and Joshua. Dear sister of Bernadette (Joel) Anderton, Susan (Virgilio) Lara, Maria Carmencita (Roger+) Goss, Jose Luis (Vicky) Abundo, Elizabeth (Tommy) Wong, Michael Jude (Nena) Abundo, Luis Abundo Jr., Marie Cecille Abundo and Rommel Abundo. Dear sister-in-law to Paul & Becky Calvario, Roberto & Merlina Torres, Rolando & Rebecca Perez, Milagros (Noel+) Evangelista and Renato & Winnie Calvario. Born on May 1,1954, in Manila, Philippines, Marilou was the second of ten children born to the late Luis Arcilla and Eufresina Bagadiong Abundo. Marilou’s dedication to her education was remarkable. She graduated from the University of Santo Tomas with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, where she excelled, ranking #2 out of 7,000 nursing students on the nation’s Nursing Board exam. In her 50s, she pursued her Master's Degree in Nursing at Lewis University, mastering digital learning tools and graduating in 2011. She retired from St. Mary of Nazareth Hospital after 43 years of nursing in the ICU, PACU and as a Nurse Educator. Marilou's journey took her 8,500 miles from Manila, Philippines to Chicago, armed with her nursing degree, a single suitcase, and a job offer at Roseland Community Hospital on Chicago's South Side. It was in cold, snowy Chicago that she met her beloved husband, Ricardo Calvario, with whom she shared 44 years of love, laughter and unwavering devotion. Together, they raised their three children in Bloomingdale. Her greatest joy was being around family and as it grew to include spouses of her children and grandchildren, her heart swelled with joy. Marilou was a selfless, compassionate, devoted and joyful mother. She delighted in raising, listening to, caring for and feeding her children, grandchildren and all who crossed the threshold of her home. A woman of many talents, Marilou was a self-taught chef whose culinary creations brought joy to all who tasted them. She loved hosting gatherings, where she could share her delicious Filipino and American cuisine while creating lasting memories with loved ones. She loved parties, get-togethers and party games. She was light-hearted and joyful and was never one to shy away from a party with a dance floor, a silly game, music and karaoke. She played the piano, drew adorable cartoons, loved music, reading, word puzzles, travel and food documentaries and TV game shows. She even auditioned for Wheel of Fortune back in the early 1990s! Marilou’s gentle spirit and warmth endeared her to all who knew her. She had the ability to make everyone feel welcome and accepted. Everyone felt safe to be their true self around her. Always trustworthy and willing to listen, she was a confidant of friends old and new. Her positive outlook on life was truly inspiring. Through her seven year battle with cancer she remained optimistic, patient and full of gratitude for every caregiver, doctor and nurse she encountered. Marilou’s journey was illuminated by the guiding light of her Catholic faith, a faith that sustained her through life's trials and triumphs. Her unwavering trust in God's divine plan and steadfast reliance on prayer were the cornerstones of her life—a life lived with
purpose, grace and devotion. Marilou’s life will be celebrated during visitation on Friday, April 12 from 3 pm to 9 pm at Salerno’s Rosedale Chapel in Roselle, Illinois. A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, April 13, at 9:30 am at St. Isidore Catholic Church in Bloomingdale, followed by interment at Assumption Cemetery in Wheaton, Illinois.
Marilou’s legacy of love, kindness and faith will continue to live on in the hearts of all who knew her.