Minnie L. Ingersoll passed away in the comfort of her own home on March 17th 2024, surrounded by family and friends who love her more than words can convey.

Minnie was born to Mary and Felix Caliendo on November 25th 1935, in Chicago, Illinois. The first American of her generation, her parents had her shortly after emigrating from Naples and Giugliano in Campania, Italy.

Minnie was the definition of hard work. During and after her time as a student at Austin High School, she would go on to work at the Savoy Show, Sears, S.S. Kresge's Five and Dime and multiple other businesses. It was during a shift at Kresge's in 1950 she met her husband of nearly 70 years, Raymon D. Ingersoll. They courted for three years until he was deployed to the army in 1953, and they had to make due with exchanging letters and postcards instead of hugs and kisses. He returned to the United States in February 1956, and they got married two months later, on April 15th. Minnie was a loyal, devoted, and endlessly patient wife until Raymon's death on May 22rd, 2021.

Together, they had two children: Ray Jr. and Sheryl. With that, Minnie and Ray quickly became the epicenter of all things good in life for multiple branches and generations of family. Joy, laughter, holidays, parties, vacations, good food, games. Any of the pleasures life has to offer, Minnie was at the center of it all, flitting around like a hummingbird to make sure everything was perfect for her family. And it always was. She was. Still is.

She loved to dance, winning several jitterbug contests with her brother Phil (Raymon had two left feet so she left him home). She loved to sing as well, but most people didn't love to listen. She LOVED to gamble, watch Expedition Unknown, cheer for the cubs, and brag about her grandchildren Krystal and Kelly. She was an excellent cook and had the most adventurous spirit. Whether it was going to casinos, fairs, parks, Broadway musicals, or to the ends of the earth to protect her family, she would answer any call.

To know Minnie was not merely to love her; to know Minnie was to need her. She was our first and best friend. Our strongest and loudest cheerleader. Our confidant, secret-keeper, peace-keeper and adviser. The one we could always call to cry with, and have our tears met with gentle understanding and ferocious support. The source of our first laughs, and the last person we could ever imagine living without. The kitchen table will be emptier without her Sunday gravy, lima beans and Christmas cookies. Our homes will be silent without her laughter. Our souls will be colder without her embrace.

Minnie was welcomed with open arms by her parents, her brothers and sisters, Carmela, Lina, Frankie and Joey, her husband Raymon, her daughter-in-law Linda, and her grandson-in-law Christopher.

She leaves behind her son Raymond, her daughter Sheryl, her son-in-law Jimmy, her granddaughters Krystal and Kelly, her great-grandchildren Atticus and Cabela, her sister Dolores, her brother Phil, and countless friends and family who were lucky enough to have been hers. The only thing larger than Minnie's heart is the gaping void left in ours by her absence.