Tribute

Celebrating the life of Arlene-Nancy Cozzi: December 18, 1939 to July 15, 2025. Born in Chicago, IL. Died in Littleton, CO. Cherished daughter of Phyllis and Orlando Cozzi, Beloved grandchild of Martha and step-grandchild of Clifford Scott. Leaves behind numerous caring younger cousins and many friends. Author of occasional articles published in newspapers, magazines, and journals from the time she was 12 years old. She was also quoted in a literary novel about a fictional character and participated in the Chicago Christmas parade down Michigan Avenue as a child. Arlene sang in concerts and weddings, danced at Chicago’s civic opera house, and acted in plays from grade school through college. She went on to perform as a professional actor, touring major cities in the US. She obtained a B.A. in Theatre at Mundelein College and an M.A. in Anthropology from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She had careers as an actress, a university instructor, and a manager of senior housing till she retired at the age of 80. Arlene was not only a professional but a vibrant and vocal woman. She was a compassionate person whose last career was devoted to the elderly. She was both bold and shy; bold in defense of others but too shy to put herself forward. Arlene was an avid reader of hopefully “all the books ever written”- a skilled creator of miniatures, a travel enthusiast (especially through Europe) who loved sailing catamarans and skiing on both snow and water. She had a passion for mysteries and sci-fi books. She maintained friendships from school, book clubs, archery and fencing clubs, as well as from her various careers. Arlene’s final act of life was to donate her body to Science Care for research with ashes sent to Queen of Heaven cemetery in Hillside, Illinois, to be buried in the Cozzi/Scott/DeFranco plot.

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