Carmeline Esposito, retired teacher, intrepid traveler and generous hospice volunteer, dies at 89

Carmeline Mary Esposito—known to everyone as Carm—passed away on Nov. 6, 2026 in Evanston, IL at the age of 89. She was a loving partner, daughter, sister, aunt, cousin and dear friend, who nourished familial and personal relationships throughout her long life with compassion, energy, and her vibrant personality. Carm was born in Chicago on Aug. 15, 1937 to Cecelia Caliendo and Anthony Esposito, the second of three daughters. She graduated from Providence High School, a private high school, and attended Dominican University. After graduating from Dominican, Carm enrolled in and completed a master’s degree program in English before beginning her teaching career. She taught elementary school in Chicago, in part because she was petite and her hiring manager thought she’d be more successful teaching young children. In 1974 she made a change and taught English at Ridgewood High School in Norridge, IL. At Ridgewood she also got involved with the drama club and school theater. The children she taught liked being in her classroom and remember her as genuine and warm. One of Carm’s superpowers was her devotion to her parents and her ability to advocate for their health and welfare. This led to her becoming a care manager for elderly people, and later as a volunteer visiting with elderly hospice patients. Always a good communicator, Carm excelled in writing and public speaking. She also benefited from attending Al-Anon meetings and was happy to share her knowledge with anyone who asked or who she thought might benefit. In her free time, Carm loved to travel. She toured Italy and Greece first, of course, and later enjoyed Elderhostel trips that she took alone or with her sister Rosemary. She also looked forward to traveling to Wisconsin with her partner Owen, frequent trips to Oregon to visit family and the occasional jaunt to visit the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. She read voraciously, especially mysteries. Carm was predeceased by her parents, her sister Antoinette Marrella, and her beloved partner of nearly 50 years, Owen Hein. Her survivors include her sister Rosemary Fulgaro; her nephew Michael Fulgaro and his wife Lisa; her nephew Anthony Fulgaro and his wife Patricia, and their children Nicholas and Faith; her niece Christina Crumlish and her children Chase and Babette; and her cousins Kenneth Ragnetti and Carla Zweig. The family is very grateful to the hospice care team at Trulee Evanston for their excellent care and attentiveness during Carm’s final weeks. Services and a celebration of life will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations in Carmela’s name to the Chicago Public Library Foundation . Related Stories