Marion Sitkiewicz Obituary

Sitkiewicz, Marion Katherine It's impossible to capture in just a few words the life of an extraordinary woman, but our unending love for her compels us to try. Marion Katherine (nee Bolek) Sitkiewicz departed this world for her next adventure on May 22, 2018. She was beautiful, brave, devoted, funny, kind, brilliant, optimistic, independent and fierce. She embraced her family in a protective cocoon of love and welcomed each new person she met with a generous and open heart. Her curious mind took her and Donald, her intrepid traveling partner, soulmate and beloved husband of more than 60 years, to dozens of far-flung locations around the world where she loved nothing more than traveling on public transportation, bargaining with even the most aggressive souvenir vendors and eating just about any kind of food, especially if it was on a stick. She shared her adventurous spirit and love of learning with her children Chris (Holly) Sitkiewicz, Andrew (Fran) Sitkiewicz, Donna (Kevin Martin) Sitkiewicz, Carolyn (Jack Smego) Sitkiewicz and Janine (Mark) Marzetta, as well as her 14 grandchildren: Linda (Robbie) Harmer, Julie (Scott) Heimer, Henry Sitkiewicz, Martha Sitkiewicz, Jim Sitkiewicz, Kayla Sitkiewicz, Jake Wegner, Gabriella Marzetta, Gianna Marzetta, Wyatt Wegner, Paul Sitkiewicz, Aquinnah Martin, Zoe Martin and Wilson Sitkiewicz; and her great-granddaughter Kinsey Heimer. She also will be terribly missed by her 103-year-old mother Jennie Bolek, her sister Barbara Bolek, nieces Michelle, Tamara, Katie, Jeannie and Connie, and nephews Michael, Larry, Bob, David, Tim and Tom, and was preceded in death by her father Frank J. Bolek and her brother Frank W. Bolek. Her loss also is mourned by the myriad friends she gathered from her schooling at Cardinal Stritch High School, De Paul University (BA) and the University of Chicago (MBA); her 44-year tenure as President and CEO of Mid-West Wire Specialties, Inc.; past president of the Wire Fabricators Association; and her generous gift of time to the Ravenswood Hospital Board of Directors, the Ravenswood HealthCare Foundation, the PADS program at St. Paul Catholic Church and the Park Ridge Garden Club. Those of us who will always love her have been so lucky to be a part of her life and are heartbroken at the loss of someone so dear. She walked quietly in this world without ego or flash, yet has made an indelible mark on the hearts of all she touched. She will be loved and missed until we achieve our deepest hope that we will meet again. Visitation will be Friday, May 25, 2018 from 3:00-9:00 p.m. at Oehler Funeral Home, 2099 Miner Street (Northwest Hwy/Rt. 14 at Rand Road) Des Plaines. Prayers will be said Saturday, May 26 at 9:15 a.m. at the funeral home and proceed to St. Paul of the Cross Church for a Funeral Mass at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Town of Maine Cemetery in Park Ridge. In lieu of flowers, please kindly send donations to the Park Ridge Public Library designated for "Marion's Mark," a four-part outreach program celebrating Marion's lifetime enthusiasm for books and learning. For information, please contact Angela Berger at (847) 720-3203. Funeral information 847-824-5155 or visit oehlerfuneralhome.com