Lydia Melchiore Persiani Panagiotis

Lydia Melchiore Persiani Panagiotis, age 96, passed away July 24th, 2024 in Chandler, Arizona.She was born May 23, 1928 in Chicago Heights, Illinois to Nazzareno Melchiore and Adalgisa (Palestini) Melchiore. She grew up in Chicago Heights in the neighborhood known as ‘The Hill'. Lydia was a candy striper at St. James Hospital when she met John Persiani who was a patient at St. James Hospital in Chicago Heights.

Lydia was engaged to John Persiani on her 17th birthday, May 23, 1945 and married John on June 16, 1946. They were married at St. Agnes church in Chicago Heights, Illinois. They had two children Linda and John. 

Unfortunately, her husband John died in 1962 at the age of 41, and Lydia was widowed at the young age of 33. 

Lydia remarried in 1979 to Steve Panagiotis.  They enjoyed a good life together and she had the opportunity to travel to many  countries. She had many friends and enjoyed golfing, cards and get togethers.

They were married for 33 years until Steve death in 2011. 

Lydia moved to Arizona in 2013 to be closer to John and Linda. She enjoyed her Solara adult community in Arizona and they certainly enjoyed her.

Lydia was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Dominic and Frank. Twin sisters, Elda Natale & Lena Dal Santo and sister Betty Kubancek. She is survived by Granddaughters Brianna Persiani Lindseth, Danielle Rzeszotarski  and Grandson’s David and Mark DiCarlo.Following cremation in Chandler, Arizona, Lydia will be interred with a graveside service at Assumption Cemetery in Glenwood, Illinois on September 13, at 10:30am.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to:

Alzheimers Association 

6301 S Pebble Beach Drive

Chandler, Arizona 85249