Angela Guasta, age 81, of Elgin, formerly of Carol Stream and West Chicago, passed away peacefully on May 26, 2023 at her home surrounded by her loving family.

Angela was born in Giovinazzo, Italy in 1942. She was one of five children born to Paulo and Teresa Bavaro and she stayed close to her two brothers and two sisters even though separated by an ocean. As a young girl, Angela was a devoted daughter to her beloved mother and took pride assisting as a cashier in their small corner store in Italy.

It was in that very store in 1965 where she first met the love of her life - Vincenzo. After this beautiful girl in the store waited on him, Vince went back later that same day with his aunt to ask permission to meet with her – and it was love at first sight. They married just months later and continued their love affair for 57 years until Vince’s death on April 22, 2023.

After moving to America to build their life, they set about raising a family. Son Donald was born in 1968 and married Dana and together gave Angela two wonderful grandchildren, Alessandro and Mia, who became Angela’s pride and joy. Next, Angela and Vince had their beautiful daughter Maria in 1970. Maria brought her partner Matthew into the Guasta family in 2015. Angela loved “Mateo” and loved her bonus grandchildren Jack and Summer as her own. Anyone who spoke with Angela knew how incredibly proud she was of her children Don and Maria and all their accomplishments in life. Angela also had a dog, Lola, whom she spoiled and loved deeply.

Angela was known for her skill and passion in the kitchen. An amazing cook and baker, she filled the house with delicious meals and beautiful baked goods. She was never so happy as when she was cooking and baking for others. In fact, she even sold her baked goods for a time at a health club she belonged to. We think she kept the gym in business because people couldn’t stop eating her sweets.

Angela loved being social and she loved to party. If you invited her to a get-together, she was guaranteed to be there, dressed to impress with bells on and focaccia in hand. It was that love of people that made her loved by so many. When Angela and Vince moved to Elgin, they were welcomed into a wonderful community of new friends. Angela loved being a part of this amazing group that socialized and supported each other, right up to her final days.

Angela’s last big event was her 80th birthday party thrown by Maria and Don at an Italian restaurant with good food, friends, family, and dancing. She was overjoyed by the love and affection shown to her that day and it was a memory she cherished.

Angela filled her life with the important and beautiful things that make it worth living. She taught us that, “La Vita È Come Una Fotografia. Se Sorridi, Viene Meglio.” Or in English, “Life is like a photograph. If you smile, it gets better.”

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations in the name of Angela Guasta to Leukemia Research Foundation - https://leukemiarf.org/donate/

A Visitation will be held on Monday, May 29, 2023, from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Bucaro Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 485 W. Army Trail Road, Bloomingdale, IL 60108.  Funeral Prayers are Tuesday, at 9:00 AM to St. Isidore Parish, for 9:30 Funeral Mass, 427 W. Army Trail Road, Bloomimgdale, IL 60108.  Entombment will immediately follow at Assumption Catholic Cemetery, 1S510 Winfield Road, Wheaton, IL 60189.

For more information, please call 630-242-4700 or visit our website at www.bucarofuneralhome.com.