Barbara Ann Chernicky

Barbara Ann Chernicky, 86, of Palatine, passed away Sunday October 7, 2024, peacefully at her residence in St Charles, Silverado Memory Care Community.

Services for Barbara will include a celebration of life Visitation Friday, October 11, 2024, from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the Ahlgrim Family Funeral Home 201 N. Northwest Highway Palatine, IL 60067.

Mass will be held Saturday, October 12, 2024, at 10:00 AM at St. Thomas of Villanova Catholic Church, 1201 E. Anderson Drive, Palatine.

Barbara was born in Cleveland Ohio on January 23, 1938, to William and Pauline Swaggerty. Barbara is preceded in death by her parents and brother, Bill (Angela) Swaggerty; her loving husband, Steve Norbert Chernicky; sons, Michael and Steve Jr, and first born child, Ann Marie.

Barbara is survived by her three daughters: Sheryl (Robert) DeBlock, Linda (Robert) Ruff, and Laura Chernicky; her cherished grandchildren, Alex (Michelle) Ruff, Madison Ruff, Brittany Ruff, Camille Ruff and great granddaughter Emilia Ruff.

Barbara grew up in Cleveland Ohio where she attended Hoban Dominican High School, graduating class of 1956. She’s quoted in her yearbook with “One can never underestimate the power of a woman”. Fitting for a woman who poured her heart, talents and skills into everything she built. Barbara enjoyed all types of activities from gardening/landscaping to home improvement projects and artsy/crafty projects (sewing, ceramics, art) to making elaborate cakes and beautiful meals for an active family. She enjoyed an elaborate show, old classic films, being outdoors, dancing and good music, bowling, and the art of putting an outfit together.

Barbara and Steve married in Ohio in 1960 and then moved to Palatine where Barbara enjoyed being the Coach’s wife as they made their mark in the Northwest suburbs. Outside of all her domestic contributions, Barbara also enjoyed her career as a customer service representative for JCPenney Call Center in Buffalo Grove and stayed active with those staffs after the company closing. Barbara is known by her girlfriends as being the life of the party and often helped lead or coordinate some of the groups she was a part of like TOPS, Red Hats, and more. She also held leadership positions in the PTA and lead both Brownie and Girl Scout troops. She was very active in her family’s activities.

Barbara was known by her neighbors and friends for her ‘meticulous gardens’, sweetness, willingness to help lend a hand, and most widely remembered for her beauty, style and grace. Barbara also was greatly fond of nature and animals, with all the wild animals visiting her gardens regularly and her home always filled with cats in need of their next home. She cherished tea time with her cats on her lap any time of day.

Barbara and Steve Chernicky enjoyed 53 years of marriage together, building their life in and with the Palatine and Arlington Heights communities and with her passing, this beautiful chapter completes. Barbara will rest with her husband Steve at St. Michael the Archangel Cemetery, Palatine. We send you off with deep gratitude and love Barbara, Mom, Grandma, Great Grandmother, Friend.