Marie A. Vasta, 87, of Elk Grove Village devoted her 40-year teaching career to working with youngsters, many of whom didn’t speak English, in Chicago’s Chinatown. “She learned how to speak Chinese so she could teach them English,” said her daughter Luanne Paglia. Mrs. Vasta died Tuesday, March 19, in Manor Care Health Services in Elk Grove Village. The Chicago native received her teaching degree from Loyola University Chicago after she married in 1938 and took time to raise a family. She started teaching in St. Therese Catholic School in Chicago’s Chinatown in the late 1940s and taught several grades before devoting her skills to kindergartners. “That was her favorite,” added her daughter. She said that even after her mother retired from the school in the late 1980s, storeowners and restaurant staff in Chinatown would always ask after her. Mrs. Vasta also was an accomplished organist who played at weddings and funerals in the Chicago area. Other survivors include another daughter, Rosemarie Kennedy; a sister, Rose Pinto; four grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Visitation will be held from 3 to 9 p.m. Thursday in Grove Memorial Chapel, 1199 S. Arlington Heights Rd., Elk Grove Village. A mass will be said at 10 a.m. Fridayin Queen of the Rosary Catholic Church, 750 W. Elk Grove Blvd., Elk Grove Village.
