Filomena "Phyllis" DeRango

Filomena "Phyllis" DeRango, 89, passed away peacefully with family by her side Thursday, October 5, 2023, at Ascension Living Lakeshore at Siena in Racine, WI.

Phyllis was born in Marano Principato, Italy, November 25, 1933, daughter of the late Annunziato and Rosaria (nee: Baratta) Cairo and came to the United States in 1950. On June 1, 1957, she was united in marriage to Giovanni "John" DeRango. They were married at St. Donatus Church in Blue Island, IL and then they had their wedding reception in Racine at Memorial Hall. They resided in Racine ever since.

Phyllis, before she married, worked in Chicago at Hart Schaffner and Marx as a seamstress wearing her 3-inch-high heels which were a part of her daily attire. She took the Rock Island train there every weekday with Zia Divina, who worked there as well. After marriage she became a homemaker and raised their four children, Rosaria, Francesco, Nancy, and Anthony. Throughout her lifetime, she thrived on family values. Once they were grown and married, Phyllis helped her husband, John, at the DeRango The Pizza King restaurants making Italian pastas. Also, she worked at Giovanni DeRango 's Supper Club as a hostess, greeting people with her always warm smile, outpouring hospitality, and her high heels.

She was a member of St. Rita Catholic Church and the Vittoria Colonna Lodge. Phyllis loved attending meetings and parties with all her Lodge members. Phyllis was a devoted mother, sister, grandmother, great grandmother, and dear friend to many. She will be dearly missed.

She leaves behind to cherish her memory her four children, Rose DeRango and husband, Jerry Floyd, Frank DeRango, Nancy DeRango and Tony (Brenda) DeRango; her grandchildren Frank Jr (Jessica) DeRango, Nicco DeRango, Ashley (Erik) Fisch, Chelsea Schelling, Abby DeRango, Katie (Kody) Azarian, and Giovanna DeRango. Great grandchildren Maddie Best, Luigi DeRango, Leonardo, Angelina, Isabella, and Josefina Fisch, Alessia Azarian and Nalana, Nicco Jr, and Mila; sisters Donna (Egidio) Infusino, Nella (Pasquale) Infusino; brother -in-law Emilio Infusino; sisters-in-law Rosetta DeRango and Mirella DeRango; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many dear friends.

In addition to her parents and in-laws she was preceded in death by her husband Giovanni “John” DeRango, sisters Concetta Cairo and Ida Infusino; brothers-in-law Domenico DeRango and Mariano DeRango; grandson, Giovanni DeRango.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Rita Catholic Church, 4339 Douglas Ave., Thursday, October 12, 2023, at 11:00 am with Rev. James Presta and Rev. Michael Petersen concelebrating. Entombment will follow at Holy Cross Garden Mausoleum, Highway 32, Racine. Relatives and friends may meet with the family at the funeral home on Wednesday, October 11, 2023, from 5:00-7:00 pm and Thursday, October 12, 2023, at the church from 10:00 am until time of mass.

The family would like to extend a very special thank you to the entire staff at Ascension Living Lakeshore at Siena and to Holistic Hospice for their loving and compassionate care.