Zofia Szakola

of Arlington Heights

Zofia Szakola was born on August 15, 1924 in Markowce, Poland to Alexander and Paulina (nee Hajdamach) Eksterowicz. She died on Wednesday, July 13, 2022 in Arlington Heights at her home, surrounded by her children.

Mrs. Szakola worked in Poland as a Registered Nurse for 38 years, in many capacities: as a surgical nurse, an infectious diseases nurse, an internal medicine nurse, and a field nurse, and then she came to the United States at the age of 57. In Chicago, she worked for the Lithuanian Jesuit Fathers for 13 years, taking care of elderly priests, and through her efforts, she brought her entire family with her to the United States. She loved to spend time with her family, especially her grandchildren and her great-grandchildren, and she was loved by all.

Zofia is survived by her children, Gosha (John) Thornton and Marek (Danuta) Szakola; grandchildren, Sean Thornton and Rachael St. Peter, Paulina (Wesley) Heinkel, Justyna (Tomasz) Siemieniak and Magdalena (Willem) De Koning; great-grandchildren Cormac Heinkel, Kit Heinkel and Adam Siemieniak; several nieces and nephews.

Zofia is preceded in death by her husband, Czeslaw Szakola; grandson, Mateusz Szakola; her parents; and her five siblings.

Visitation Sunday, July 17, 2022 from 3:00 pm until 6:00 pm at Glueckert Funeral Home, Ltd., 1520 North Arlington Heights Road (four blocks south of Palatine Road), Arlington Heights, IL 60004. Funeral Mass will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, July 18, 2022 at St. Edna Catholic Church, 2525 N. Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights, IL 60004. Interment will be at Maryhill Cemetery in Niles.

In lieu of flowers, the Family would appreciate that Memorial Contributions be made toward Masses in Zofia's Memory. Funeral Information and condolences can be given at www.GlueckertFuneralHome.com or (847) 253-0168.