Lillian Stan

Date of Birth

Sep 11,1921

Date of Death

Feb 22,2017

Lillian “Bubbles” Mary Stan (nee Wojciechowski), age 95 went to be with her Lord on Wednesday, February 22, 2017 surrounded by her family at Heritage Heath Nursing Home in Elgin.

She was born into this world on Wednesday, September 11, 1921 in Chicago. Lillian was the beautiful daughter of Theodore F. and Caroline (Tokarski) Wojciechowski.

She grew up in the Avondale neighborhood in Chicago with her loving parents and brother Roman. Lillian enjoyed working for her parents’ at the Avondale Sausage Shop. The Wojciechowski’s were pillars in their community and were well known by many. Lillian had the honor of dancing with a Polish group in an event at the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair. Despite losing her brother, Roman, at the age of 18 from spinal meningitis, which was hard on her, Lillian always had a smile on her face and had a bubbly personality. This is why she was given the nickname “Bubbles” in school. At the age of 18 Lillian received her driver’s license. She was extremely proud of this accomplishment because there were a lot of women who did not drive at that time.

Lillian attended St. Hyacinth Catholic School from grade 1st thru 8th. Once promoted to high school Lillian attended Holy Family Academy All Girls High School in Chicago. After graduation she received a certificate in secretarial school at DePaul University.

Before finding the love of her life she enjoyed contributing to the cause of World War II by dating service men who were returning home. One day in 1947, while attending a wake at a funeral home, two sets of eyes met from across the room. A young man by the name of Eugene Anthony Staniejko (Stan) took the first step and introduced himself to Lillian. On their first date Eugene wanted to move in for their first kiss, but Lillian had to refuse due to her dating another man on the local soccer team. They enjoyed dating for a little more than a year until they were married on September 5, 1948 at St. Hyacinth of Basilica Catholic Church in Chicago. After the wedding the newlyweds made their home with Lillian’s parents for 2-3 years. After her parents purchased an apartment building on Belle Plain Avenue in Chicago Lillian and Eugene rented one of their apartments.

She worked for a short time at city hall in Chicago as a typist. However, after having their first child Lillian decided to stay at home to serve her family as a homemaker and mother.

Lillian was quite proud of her Polish heritage still speaking fluent Polish she felt honored to be a member of the Polish National Woman’s Alliance. She and Eugene belonged to the local Family Moose Lodge in their neighborhood. Lillian also enjoyed giving back to her community and volunteered with friends at the Little Brothers, Friends of the Elderly, Chicago Chapter. She was also a lifelong member of St. Hyacinth of Basilica Catholic Church and after moving to Sycamore attended St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Sycamore.

Due to losing her brother Roman at such a young age Lillian was confident that she wanted more than one child after getting married, she fulfilled her wish with four beautiful children. Lillian had the gift of baking and decorating, it came natural to her. She and a close friend Mrs. Touhy made the sweets tables for all four of her children’s weddings. Their sweets were by far above and beyond any professional baker you would pay. Lillian made and decorated beautiful cakes for all occasions and was known for her renowned pies. During Wigilia (Polish Christmas Eve) she made homemade Pierogi by herself, it was a science to make the perfect recipe. Every Saturday it was her normal routine to make homemade soups. When asked how her soups were made, Lillian would reply “oh Mixy Fixy.” At home Lillian had a small garden growing everything from fresh green beans to the most beautiful roses. Eugene and Lillian loved music and dancing, their regular date night would be at the Aragon Ballroom to go dancing. They enjoyed anything from Big Band and opera music to “Pretty Woman” by Roy Orbison and “Mama Mia” by ABBA. Lillian was a die-hard Chicago Cubs fan; she was given a brick from Wrigley Field engraved with a quote: “Lillian Stan, Lifelong Cubs Fan, Hit a Homer!”
A number of years ago Lillian and her family were able to travel to Europe, visiting Poland, Czech Republic and Paris. While in Poland Lillian was able to meet her family including a cousin she had been exchanging letters with for years. Lillian never swore instead when she was frustrated the worst she would say; “You Goof, You Nut, You Crazy Crackpot!” Lillian enjoyed keeping her mind busy by playing crossword puzzles and reading romance novels. All her life Lillian was a dog lover, she and Eugene always had a dog at home.

She leaves behind four children; Christine “Tina” (Jeff) Vorel, Rob (Janet) Stan, Wayne (Denise) Stan, Donna (Bill) O’Hagan, two grandchildren; Katelyn O’Hagan and Sarah (Kyle) Nagel and two great grandchildren; Kameron O’Hagan and Lillian Nagel.

Lillian now joins her parents, husband and her brother; Roman.

A visitation will be from 2:00-6:00pm, Sunday, February 26, 2017 at the Conley Funeral Home in Elburn, 116 W. Pierce Street. A Mass of Christian Burial to celebrate her life will be held at 11:00am, Monday, February 27, 2017 at St. Hyacinth of Basilica Catholic Church in Chicago, 3636 W. Wolfram Street. There will be an additional visitation from 10:00-11:00am at the church. Entombment will follow at St. Adalbert Catholic Cemetery in Niles.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Lillian’s name. Checks may be made to one of the follow organizations; Tails Humane Society-DeKalb, American Cancer Society or the Little Brothers, Friends of the Elderly, Chicago Chapter and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, 60119. Tributes may also be forwarded to the same address, the Conley Funeral Home Facebook Page, or at www.conleycare.com.

A Mass of Christian Burial to celebrate her life will be held at 11:00am, Monday, February 27, 2017 at St. Hyacinth of Basilica Catholic Church in Chicago, 3636 W. Wolfram Street. There will be an additional visitation from 10:00-11:00 a.m. at the church.

A visitation will be from 2:00-6:00 p.m, Sunday, February 26, 2017 at the Conley Funeral Home in Elburn, 116 W. Pierce Street.

Entombment will follow at St. Adalbert Catholic Cemetery in Niles.

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