Visitation for Virginia A. Gilski, 93, of Hoffman Estates, will be held Sunday, December 20, 2020 from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Ahlgrim Family Funeral Home 201 N. Northwest Highway, Palatine. The Visitation will continue Monday, December 21, 2020, also at the Ahlgrim Family Funeral Home from 9:00 a.m. until the time of Prayers at 9:45 a.m., then proceeding to Holy Family Catholic Church, 2515 Palatine Road, Inverness, IL 60067, for a funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m. To register for the Funeral Mass please use the following link: http://bit.ly/GilskiVFuneral. The Interment will be held in Maryhill Catholic Cemetery, Niles.
Virginia (“Virg” or “Grams” as her family affectionately called her) was born on August 1, 1927 to Frank and Anna (Lasak) Laboda in Chicago, IL and was the 5th of the seven Laboda children. She passed away peacefully the evening of December 15, 2020 at Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge surrounded by family.
She was the beloved wife of the late Chester J. Gilski; loving mother of the late Diana Reczek (William), Anthony (Kathy) Gilski, Donna Gilski, Ann Marie (Terry) Meyer, the late Barbara Gilski; Robert (Cassandra) Gilski and Daniel (Christine) Gilski; loving grandmother of 14 grandchildren, Lauren (Michael) Owen, Krista (John) Fiedler, Jackie (Chad Wire) Reczek, Jessica Reczek, Jenna (Patrick) Natale, Ashley Gilski, Kaitlyn Gilski, Lindsay Gilski, Eddie Nowakowski, Nick Nowakowski, Zach Nowakowski, Lucas Nowakowski, Ryan Gilski and Michael Gilsk; as well as 6 great-grandchildren, Madelyn Owen, Reese Owen, Charlotte Owen, Vivian Natale, Anthony Natale and Lincoln Wire. She was a cherished aunt to many nieces and nephews. Beloved by all who knew her including extended family and friends.
Virginia grew up to be a stunning beauty with flaxen hair and piercing blue eyes and loved to dance as a young girl. She met Chester after he came home from WW2 and married in 1948 in Chicago at St. Helen’s Church. Far from a stay-at-home mom, Virg was an entrepreneur, opening her own beauty shop in Chicago on Milwaukee Avenue where she continued to grow many friendships. Virginia and Chester had a wide social circle and were members of the “Penguins” – a group of Chester’s neighborhood friends whose wives were known as the “Penguinettes” thus leading to Virginia’s vast collection of penguin figurines!
Virginia loved traveling and spent time with Chester and her family at Camp Channing in Michigan, and also in Florida where countless memories were made. Following Chester’s death, Virginia moved to the northwest suburbs to be closer to her children and their growing families and indulged in her penchant for swimming by joining the “Mermaids” at the local community swimming pool. More friendships made. She also loved to sew and was always happy to make a costume for a school event for one of the grandchildren.
The holidays were always a joyous time as it was the opportunity for her family to enjoy the many Polish recipes in her arsenal, including pierogis (cheese and sauerkraut filled being the favorites), kolaczki cookies, polish bread (leftovers which would be fought over) and “meat stuffing” (which was way more meat than stuffing!). Over the years she passed on her love of cooking to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren who will continue to enjoy these recipes including the most recent batch of pierogis she made with them for Thanksgiving.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Virginia’s name, to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or www.stjude.org.
I know I speak for all the “mermaids” when I say we loved Virginia. She will be remembered for her beauty at any age, her caring and her sharing. She lit up the place with her hi and sweet nature…and of course we loved her stories. I have so many wonderful memories of dear Virg.
May all of you, her family be comforted by the love and pride she had for all of you.
It was a priviledge and blessing to have her in my life! She surely is unforgetable.
Val Wunnicke, mermaid
Some guys are lucky to have one mom; I was blessed to have two. Thank you for always making me feel like one of the family. Send my love to Chester and Diane.
Our deepest sympathy to the whole Gilski family as we remember Virg with an infectious personality full of life. She was one of a kind with a home filled with love and people at all times.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. May she Rest In Peace in the arms of our Lord.
The Sowa family (Deb Bastone)
Tom Reczek and I extend our heartfelt condolences to all of Virg’s family, in particular those who are part of our family. We know how much she was loved and will be missed.. Diane Dais
I am just a coworker of one of her daughters, Donna. I can see that Virginia has left a legacy, and she certainly has enhanced the lives of those she touched over the years with ker kindness, and loving heart. Donna used to tell me how great a mom she was, and I can see that she has raised great children as she was a loving mother and her family will forever cherish the memories they shared. I pray that God comforts Donna’s family and I have seen over the years how devoted a daughter she was to her mom. It’s never easy to lose a mother. I still remember mine fondly. Virginia’s legacy will continue to live in her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and the love she gave to them all will hold the family together. Rest in Peace, Virginia.
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. … Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. (Rosane Paim)
My deepest sympathy to the GIlski Family….it is obvious how loving and great Mom Virginia is as I have and had the opportunity to work with her Two Nurses!… from what I just read, it is obvious that Diana and Donna received the gift of love, caring,joy, compassion and hard work from VIrginia’s example. Please give Diana a great big hug from me! I miss her so much!! May you rest in Peace…
So sorry to hear of the loss of Auntie Virg. She always seemed so full life.
Our sincere sympathy to all the Gilski family.
RIP Auntie Virg
With sympathy, Ron & Judy Laboda
Mrs. Gilski was always fun to be around. Her love of family was palpable. She was a great swimmer, had fun “bobbing in the waves” in Florida. She embraced life with gusto. Her faith, and love of family will be remembered…. and provide comfort to her family.
Rest easy, Love ya, Virg