Milani, Kelly LuAnn

Milani, Kelly LuAnn (nee Ruda) of Lake Forest, IL., 57, an inspiration to all that had the privilege to know her, passed away quietly, surrounded by loved ones on January 26, 2022. Kelly didn’t let her MS and diabetes diagnoses shape and control her life. She rose above the pain and suffering and led a dignified life of love, laughter, and generosity.

Born April 2, 1964, Kelly met her first boyfriend (and future husband) Robert in the 4th grade at Maplewood school in Deerfield, IL. She loved equestrian hunter/jumper events growing up and loved to ride her horse, Biff, at the stable and was known to ride him through select Deerfield properties unannounced. She also was a gifted artist. She won the coveted Gold Key art award in New York in her youth which led to a scholarship to the Art Institute of Chicago. There she blossomed as a breakout student and on a whim, began taking improv classes at Second City, and then Improv Olympic.

Her gifts of compassion and caring took her ultimately into the medical field, where she worked as an anesthesiologist technician at both Highland Park and Lake Forest Hospitals for 19 years. Her sense of humor in the operating room helped alleviate patients’ fears and anxieties while amusing the doctors she worked for.

Kelly’s numerous accomplishments, zest for life and sense of humor, despite her poor health, all the while conducted with the utmost of dignity, has been an inspiration to us all. God rest her soul. Along with her husband, Robert, of 24 years, Kelly is survived by her mother, Jeanette Ruda, sisters Sandra (DiFonzo) Costa and Kim (DiFonzo) Borghgraef, and brother Phil DiFonzo (Julie) as well as numerous nephews.

A “Celebration of Life” open house and memorial service is planned for family and friends on Sunday, June 26 at the Grove at the Redfield Estate in Glenview. Please direct memorial contributions to the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation.

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