Yolanda "Cookie" Prestigiacomo

Yolanda was born in Chicago Illinois to Helen and Salvatore Miglore, the oldest daughter of 4 surviving siblings. Cookie graduated from high school and was chosen to be a summer intern for a Paige program in Washington D.C; however, her overprotective father prohibited her from attending.

As a child, Yolanda contracted severe anemia. Doctors prescribed she eat more calories. What began then as an unconquerable single-mindedness, and became a core thread of her strength, Yolanda refused to eat.

Her father began a campaign to tempt her by waving a cookie in front of her and pleading with her to please eat the cookie. Yolanda remained slim and anemic throughout her adult life, but the nickname “Cookie” followed her to the end of her days.

Cookie cherished her family. She was a devoted wife to Bernard Prestigiacomo for 42 years, and beloved mother to her oldest son Joseph Pastore, youngest son Salvatore Prestigiacomo, and daughter Theresa Pastore, as well as stepmother Michael Prestigiacomo, Carmen Prestigiacomo, Nina Giacobbe, and Mark Prestigiacomo.

Not only was she beautiful, Cookie was the greatest Italian cook ever, fiercely protective of her children, told the best ghost stories, and had the zippiest one-liners not fit for print.

Cookie was widowed in November 2012 when she lost the love of her life, Bernie, whom she cared for through 2 liver transplants, a kidney transplant, and a life filled with shopping, cleaning and cooking feasts for Sunday dinners, holidays, birthdays, graduations and more.

Cookie will be remembered by legions of adoring grandchildren, her sister Ann, Brother Bobby, her nieces and the many friends who loved her dearly.

In lieu of flowers, her children request a contribution in her name be made to the following charities:

Family ElderCare and the Elder Care Foundation.

Services for Cookie will be held at noon on Friday 05-29-15, at Church at The Center - 12700 SW Hwy, Palos Park IL.