Parveen (Ali) Werner

Parveen Werner, of Barrington, passed away peacefully on October 28, 2021 after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. At 55, Parveen’s love of life did not come to an end with her passing. Rather, she was surrounded by loved ones who will continue to honor her legacy of light and love by living their lives to the fullest as Parveen would.

She will be lovingly remembered, and dearly missed, by her husband Jim and their four children: Garrett, Sophia, Francesca and Vaughn as well as her parents Ashraf (Neela) Ali and Ingrid Diaz (Jose), sister Yasmin Kinton (Bob), and brothers Azim Ali, Arshad Ali, and Bobby (Tenille) Diaz , brother-in-law Tom (Deborah) Werner, sister-in-law Jean Santoro (John), and nieces and nephews: Kenny (Allison), Nick, Mike and  Hayden Kinton, Asher, Adien and Avery Ali, Payton, Cole, Grayson and Sienna Diaz, Katherine, Nic and Madeline Werner, Emily (Griffin) Santoro Walker, Maggie, Jack and Peter Santoro, and grandnephew Owen Walker.

Parveen grew up in Morton Grove and graduated from Niles North High School in 1984. From there she went on to receive a degree in accounting from University of Illinois Chicago and an MBA from Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management. During her many successful years in the corporate world, Parveen proved to be a marketing visionary and was recognized as a highly innovative leader within the food industry. Her most recent position was VP of Strategy, Marketing Innovation and Commercial Excellence for Batory Foods. There she was known as a driven and brilliant risk taker; her contributions were game changing. She also proved to be an extraordinary and committed mentor to her team members and the young talent who interned with her. Additionally, she relished volunteering and guiding students in Barrington High School’s INCubatoredu program.

While working full time and raising her children Parveen self-taught herself how to sew, creating exquisite soft furnishings for her whole home. Her skill was honed so professionally, she was invited to be part of Martha Stewart’s Apprentice television series, where she became a semi-finalist. Her cooking and baking skills were unparalleled; she enjoyed nothing more than serving and entertaining family and friends, everyone was always welcome. Her motto, “the more the merrier”! Her attention to detail was superb, every party was an event to look forward to.

One of Parveen’s most loved hobbies was traveling the world over. Whenever an opportunity presented itself, Parveen did not think twice about packing her bags, at a moment’s notice, and going on another adventure with her family or friends.   In the last few years Parveen took up and excelled at tennis; her opponents dreading her fierce serve. It was also a love she shared with all her 4 children.

Parveen was loved and adored by all who met her. She brightened the days of others with her boundless optimism and positivity, even during her most recent devastating diagnosis and challenges. Parveen never complained and never gave up on anything or anyone.  Selfless by nature, she was a giver and gave freely her time, support, and love. Kind, compassionate and loyal, Parveen was an inclusive friend to all. Larger than life, she was the epitome of sunshine and happiness.

However out of all Parveen’s personal successes and achievements, Garrett, Sophia, Frankie and Vaughn are her greatest pride.  Helping her children achieve their highest potential, she was a dedicated mother first and foremost. Parveen encouraged their passions, interests and talents and embraced every moment with them.  The love she showered on them will be in their hearts forever.

Sophia and Francesca would like you to read their personal message below and be inspired to join in:

“Our Mom loved to dress up for even the most casual occasions. Whenever she did, you would see her with color. Even if it was just a pop: bright earrings, a colorful pair of shoes…she always stood out. In honor of her, at both her wake and funeral, we thought instead of black, we request that everyone dress in color so that when she looks down upon us all from Heaven, she sees a rainbow of color, celebrating what a bold, bright, optimistic person she really was and how she has impacted us all.

With that being said, we would like everyone to refrain from wearing bright pink, as our mother Parveen will be wearing that color. We really appreciate everyone who participates in honoring our mom in this way.”

Thank you,

Francesca and Sophia

Visitation service will be held Saturday, 11/6 from 2pm-8pm at the Davenport Funeral Home in Lake Zurich (see address below).

A funeral service will be held at St. Anne’s Church in Barrington, on Monday 11/8. Visitation will begin at the church at 9:00 am, immediately followed by a funeral Mass at 10:30am. Interment will follow at St. Michael the Archangel Cemetery in Palatine. A luncheon reception will follow interment.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Parveen’s name to MD Anderson’s Cancer Center Moon Shots Program: https://www.mdanderson.org/cancermoonshots/cancer-types/pancreatic.html  Please be sure to click on the “In Memory of” button and insert Parveen Werner’s name.

For additional information, please contact Davenport Funeral Home 847-550-4221.

941 South Old Rand Road Lake Zurich IL 60047.

To attend Parveen's funeral Mass virtually please visit, https://vimeo.com/event/1460789/124c6d1097 .