JulieAnn Villa of Chicago

JulieAnn Villa, age 48, of Chicago, Illinois. JulieAnn died Saturday May 27, 2023 in hospice surrounded by family, friends, amazing images of the life she lead and, of course, the best Spotify playlists ever assembled. Loving daughter of Geraldine “Jeri” Villa and Robert “Bob” (Sue) Villa; devoted sister of Robert (Kathleen) Villa and Kristin Villa; cherished aunt of Robert and Kayla. “Life can only be understood backwards. But it must be lived forwards. – S.K.” JulieAnn’s life was a life lived forward. Always forward. It was never easy. It was, nevertheless, always forward. After graduating from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) with a degree in Chemistry she became an educator. A profession she committed her life too. She taught youth in Boston; Buenos Aries, Argentina; Guadalajara, Mexico; and in Illinois at Lane Technical College Prep (2002-2008) and Niles West High School (2008-2018). Her own education continued with numerous summer research projects through Northwestern University’s Research Experience for Teachers programs (2001-2017) and Master’s degrees in Education from DePaul University and most recently, in Health Communication from Northwestern University. In her personal life, JulieAnn was an accomplished cyclist, marathoner, Michelin star foodie, and costume-clad inspirational force who motivated countless others to achieve what they believed they could not. To help people move emotionally and physically forward past what life threw at them. And she did it the way the best educators do - she made sure it was fun. She ran races and cycled crazy miles adorned in flowers, her favorite color purple, as a credible unicorn, rainbowed to support others, cheetah patterned for her crew, Dia de los Muertos faced, and wearing crazy headbands while powering through it. And, of course, she did all of it “owning every mile with grace, courage and gratitude. - JA” The stories of how her forward leaning life touched and changed people are simply too many to fit within this obituary. You are encouraged to take a few minutes to search the life of JulieAnn Villa. Prepared to be inspired. Her impact is outstanding. You are loved JulieAnn. Always and every day. Visitation will be Thursday, June 8, 2023 from 2:00 P.M. until time of service at 6:30 P.M. at Morizzo Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 2550 West Hassell Road, (Northeast corner of Barrington Road), Hoffman Estates, IL. 60169. If you are unable to attend the visitation in person but would like to attend virtually please CLICK HERE and click on the WEBCASTING VIDEO link. The livestream will start at approximately 6:15 P.M. The family has created this Life Tributes page to make it easy to share your memories, photos, and videos. For further information please contact the Morizzo Funeral Directors at 847.752.6444. In lieu of flowers donation made in JulieAnn's memory to the American Cancer Society would be greatly appreciated. The family has created this Life Tributes page to make it easy to share your memories, photos, and videos. For those of you that would have attended services and would like to express your condolences please click on the "Share A Memory" link above and you can leave a message. If you wish to send a Sympathy Card, please feel free to send it to Morizzo Funeral Home, 2550 Hassell Road, Hoffman Estates, Illinois, 60169 c/o JulieAnn Villa Family; we will gladly forward it on to the family.

JulieAnn Villa of Chicago

July 7, 1974 - May 27, 2023