CZERWINSKI

Marie Jawor Czerwinski died peacefully in her sleep, at home.

Marie was born April 13, 1921 at home, in Chicago, to Anastasia (nee Derewecki) and Adalbert Jawor--a first generation American of Polish descent.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband William Czerwinski,  siblings Wanda (Edward) Gruca, Leon (Sabina) Jawor, and Bernice (Walter) Tatar.

She is survived by daughters Maryanne T. Czerwinski and Wilhelmina "Tina" (Timothy) C. Hinton, beloved granddaughters Hilary (Miguel) M. Villa and Alexandra "Sunleaf" T. Hinton, Godson and nephew Richard (Donna) Tatar, nephew Daniel (Janet) Tatar, niece Sharon (Gus) Simantirakis, great nephews Russell (Juli) Tatar and Brian (Melissa) Tatar and great, great nephews, Gavin, Ashton, Logan, Brody, Trent and Dylan, and close family friend George Isaacson.  These are people who were important in her life until the end--people Marie greatly loved and enjoyed.

Marie was a strong woman who was the heart of her family and the glue that kept them together.  She always put her family first.  She worked quietly and diligently for her family, her parish and community.

Her often told stories of growing up in Chicago--life during Prohibition, the Great Depression and World War II will be long remembered.  When Marie was in high school, her parents asked her to drop out of school to help support her family.   But because education was so important to her and she recognized it as the key to success, she worked days, then went to night school at Harrison High School to earn her diploma. It was important to her that her daughters received excellent educations in high school and college.  She frequently said that you need to sacrifice for your children so they can have a better life than you.

Marie was proud to have served her country as the Chief Clerk of the Draft Board located in historic Hull House.  She shared many stories about patriotism, the horrors of war, and the heartbreak of mothers who lost many sons in battle.  Marie was a life-long Democrat with feminist leanings.

Marie had a strong moral compass and taught her children by example.  Throughout her life she taught them to work hard, take good care of  family, friends and community, accept people for who they are, and extend hospitality to all who came to her home--even hobos who came begging for food.

Even toward the end of her life, as Marie struggled with declining strength and dementia, Marie taught them how to die with  grace and in good humor.

Funeral Friday 9:30 am from the WOLNIAK FUNERAL HOME, 5700 S. Pulaski Rd., to St. Agnes of Bohemia Church for Mass at 10:30 am.  Interment Maryhill Cemetery. Visitation Thursday 3:00 pm to 9:00 pm. 773-767-4500 or http://www.wolniakfuneralhome.com/