Delia Chiappetta

Delia C. Chiappetta, 66, passed away on June 1, 2026, of early onset dementia at Dimensions Living Memory Care Center in Kenosha, WI. She was born on February 2, 1960, to Charles and Florence (Guido) Chiappetta in Kenosha, WI. She was a 1978 graduate of Mary D. Bradford High School, Kenosha, WI. She graduated from Gateway Technical College, Carthage College and followed up by obtaining her master’s degree in business administration from Capella University.

Delia was employed by the Kenosha News for 33 years where she spent the majority of her career in management; at one time, 90 Kenosha News employees were under her helm. She treated everyone with dignity and respect and as a result, everyone at the News loved her. For several years and concurrent with her Kenosha News job, Delia was a part-time instructor of business courses at Gateway Technical College. Following a drastic downsizing at the Kenosha News, Delia was hired by the Kenosha Unified School District as a substitute teacher.

Delia was a lifetime member of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in Kenosha. She taught religious education on Sunday mornings at Mt. Carmel for about five years. Then, for over 20 years, she was the director of Religious Education at Mt. Carmel. Every April, she was the go-to person regarding children receiving their sacrament of First Holy Communion. She was on the Mt. Carmel summer festival committee for many years. For many summers, Delia would take one week vacation from work so she and her good friend Jeanine would run “Take a Walk with Jesus” Bible studies at Mt. Carmel Church. “Take a Walk with Jesus” enlightened children ages 4-17 of Christ’s teachings.

In Catholic tradition, the month of May is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Every May, Delia sold roses after Masses at Mt. Carmel to be placed at a statue of Mary. She loved Mary.

For many years, she was the secretary for the Mt. Carmel Padre Pio prayer group. In 1993, she attended World Youth Day in Denver, CO and was able to see Pope John Paul. She later saw Pope John Paul again while at the Vatican. She admired Mother Teresa who dedicated her life for the “poorest of the poor”. Delia wrote her and Mother Teresa wrote back. In 1998 and accompanied by some fellow Mt. Carmel parishioners and the beloved Fr. Richetta, she traveled to (then) Yugoslavia for a pilgrimage. She played recreational softball for a number of years, did some golfing and enjoyed swimming at the YMCA.

Delia was a diehard Cubs fan when Ron Santo and Joe Pepitone were on the team. She loved Santo and Pepitone probably because they were Italian. When Santo was traded to the White Sox, Delia (sort of) rooted for the Sox and caught a couple of ball games at the old Comiskey Park. She also got Santo’s autograph at the old Finney’s softball diamond on Highway E.

Delia had a warm and caring heart. To some extent, Delia emulated Mother Teresa since she volunteered for many years at the Kenosha Inns Program which was a homeless shelter. Acting “in the spirit of Mother Teresa”, Delia was a philanthropist as she gave to religious organizations that helped serve the poor.

Delia never married but loved children. Being a single female, Delia made the profound act of self-sacrifice and immense commitment by adopting two young boys. One was from Guatemala and the other from Russia. By the time Delia finally brought her Russian son home, she had made four required trips to Russia in a span of nine weeks! She provided her sons with unconditional love and a stable, loving home which they so desperately needed. A selfless act to say the least.

She is survived by her brother, Louie; two sons, Louis and Daniel, and her furry and highly protective buddy, “Ocean”, the family German Shepard. She is also survived by several aunts and numerous cousins including some in Italy. She was preceded in death by her parents; maternal grandparents, Benedetto and Giovanina Guido; paternal grandparents, Luigi and Filomena Chiappetta; maternal step-grandmother, Maria (Ricchio) Guido; and her confirmation sponsor, Rose Nigro, who accompanied Delia to both Guatemala and Russia. Delia was a saint and will be missed.

The family would like to thank all friends and relatives that visited Delia at Dimensions Living Memory Care Center, especially Kris C., Georgia M., Jeanine M., Sue S., Marie T., and Fr. Robert McDermott.Many thanks also, to Lily Hospice.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. on Monday, June 8, 2026, at Proko Funeral Home. Prayers will be held at 9:30am Tuesday, June 9, 2026, from Proko Funeral Home to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church where Mass of Christian Burial will commence at 10:00 a.m. Entombment will follow in All Saints Mausoleum, Pleasant Prairie, WI.