Karyn E. Tuzzolino Obituary (1939

Karyn E. Tuzzolino, age 80, of Elgin, passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones on Tuesday, October 20, 2020 at her residence due to complications from Parkinson's and Scoliosis. Karyn was born December 23, 1939 in Chicago, IL to her loving parents, Harold and Elinor Oelkers. During her high school years, Karyn met the love of her life, Michael Tuzzolino, and they were married in 1958. They were devoted to each other until Michael was laid to rest in 2004. After high school, Karyn went to cosmetology school, where she later became a cosmetology instructor. She instructed hundreds of students who went on to great careers in the field. Karyn worked, but she was a dedicated mother first and foremost. She and Michael had 8 children. After her career in cosmetology ended, Karyn wanted to do something even more impactful. She became a school bus driver, where she interacted with hundreds of kids daily. The kids loved Karyn and she treated them as her own until the day she retired in 2009. Karyn treasured everyone, but most importantly her children and grandchildren. When she wasn't working and upon her retirement, Karyn enjoyed any time she could spend with them, including walks, baking, going to the park or zoo, watching their sporting events, or just sitting around the kitchen table enjoying a feast she had just made. Karyn had another side to her, as well, where she enjoyed working her biceps pulling on the slot machine handles at the casinos to win big. She also loved playing friendly games of poker with her family around the dinner table, after the delicious meals she prepared and cooked were devoured. Karyn's life was a living example of devotion and love for anyone she touched and came into contact with. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Michael; and daughter, Margie (Danny) Talley. Karyn is survived by her other 7 children, Mickie (Curt) Beckett, Michael Tuzzolino, Thomas Tuzzolino, Kathy (Joe) Stipek, David (Joanna) Tuzzolino, Diane (Lavelle) Hill, and Christopher (Mary) Tuzzolino; 19 grandchildren and 32 great-grandchildren. Please join us in celebrating her life from 10:00a.m. until funeral service at 11:30a.m., Thursday, October 22, 2020 at Symonds-Madison Funeral Home, 305 Park Street, Elgin, IL 60120. Mourners are encouraged to review the funeral home COVID-19 public health policies ahead of time. Face masks are required to enter the facility. To access the visitation remotely, loved ones are encouraged to log on safe from home via Zoom.us (Meeting ID: 984 5671 9402, Password: 290319). Interment to follow at Mount Carmel Catholic Cemetery, 1400 S. Wolf Road, Hillside, IL 60162. Those who wish to remember Karyn in a special way may send gifts and/or arrangements to Symonds-Madison Funeral Home. For more information, call 847-741-1128 or visit www.symondsmadison.com.