Georgiann Hides

Georgiann “Jana” (née Magaro) Hides passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 9, 2015 at the age of 72 at the Journey Care Hospice Center in Barrington IL, after an heroic struggle with cancer; but confident in her God and her place after this earthly life.
Georgiann was born on June 4, 1943 on Trumbull Avenue in a house that still stands today, in the near west side of Chicago where her extended family all lived. She was the daughter of proud American Calabrian and Sicilian parents, late Louis and late Concetta (née Diliberto) Magaro and was the middle sister between Emilia “Mimi” Ferlita and the late Natalie Dodaro. The family eventually relocated to Berwyn IL, where she graduated from J. Sterling Morton West High School in 1961. After high school, she started an exciting career at ABC television in Chicago where she worked until she met her future husband (George), a fellow west-sider, when both were standing up for a wedding of closest friends. They married on May 8, 1965 and she transitioned to
motherhood and the full-time raising of her children, George, Greg and Jennifer in Glenview IL. She never veered from her interest in education as she was a long-time catechism teacher and then completing her own education when she graduated from college with honors at the age of 48.
Georgiann was a consummate craftswoman and she loved to volunteer her time to neighborhood children with painting, crochet, knitting and sewing activities. She loved to cook authentic family recipes, handed down by her beloved mother, and shared that tradition with her own young family.

In 1977, Georgiann met some dear and gracious friends (Nancy Hudson, Mary Nuccio, and Nancy Benigni) who modeled for her and led her to commit her life to Christ and remained life-long friends. That same year they shared in one of her greatest memories in traveling throughout the Holy Land. She picked up golf in her 50s, which she enjoyed with her husband, cousins and friends the rest of her life, and was an avid collector of any gizmo promising to shave a few strokes. She particularly enjoyed coupling golf with travel and saw some beautiful places over the years. She traveled the world with her husband including a trip to her ancestral land, Italy.

She saw all of her children marry and start their own families. Georgiann and George celebrated 50 years of marriage shortly before her death.

She is survived by her loving and devoted husband (George), her adoring children (George [Janie], Greg [Julie], and Jennifer), her beloved sister (Emilia “Mimi” Ferlita [Joseph]), her cherished grandchildren (Claire, Olivia, Dominic, Victor, Ben, Emma, Leah, and Nicholas), her treasured in-laws (MaryEllen and James Polito, Robert and Marge Hides, and Beverly and Gary Moriello), and many nieces, nephews, and dear friends. A memorial service celebrating her life will be held on Saturday at 11am at Harvest Church at Harvest Bible Chapel 580 Tracy Trail, Crystal Lake, IL. Visitation with the family will be at Harvest Church both before (10am) and after the memorial service. In lieu of flowers, charitable gifts may be made to the American Cancer Society.

---