Sromek, Helena

Helena Sromek, age 78, of Chicago, passed away peacefully on April 9, 2022, after a brief battle with cancer. Beloved wife of the late Józef Biskup

and the late Marian Sromek. Loving mother of Agnieszka Biskup, Anna Sromek (Juan Alejandre), Irena Sromek, Piotr Sromek (Sindy Sun), and Teresa Sromek. Devoted grandmother of Rafael Alejandre, Konrad Alejandre, Nicholas Sromek, and Alexander Sromek. Dear sister of Anna Włoch, the late Jadwiga Gielniewska, George Gielniewski, Michael Gielniewski, Jolanta Stephenson, Krzysztof Gielniewski, and Ursula Karcz. Beloved daughter of the late Wacława and late Wacław Gielniewski. Fond aunt to many nieces and nephews. Born in Podsmardzewo, Poland, Helena taught grade school before emigrating to the U.S. in 1962. In 1976, she became one of the first students to earn an MA in Polish studies from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She served as a teacher of foreign languages and ESL at Marie Sklodowska Curie Metropolitan High School and taught at Gen. Casimir Pulaski Saturday School, where she served as principal from 1985 through 2000. A visitation will be held Wednesday, April 20, 2022, at Malec & Sons Funeral Home, 6000 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, IL from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. The funeral mass will be Thursday, April 21, at Holy Trinity Church, 1118 N. Noble St., Chicago, IL at 11:00 a.m. Burial at Maryhill Catholic Cemetery, 8600 N. Milwaukee Ave., Niles, IL. In lieu of flowers, donations in Helena’s name may be made to the Polish Museum of America.

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