Stella Miloszewski Grabski

First thoughts of Stella are of a no-nonsense, tough-minded, dedicated and disciplined person. This description accurately fits Stella Grabski who was indeed a born manager. She will be remembered as being organized, practical and realistic. She was a person who always carried a strong sense of duty with her throughout her life. Possessed with traditional “old school” morals, Stella was an individual who clearly communicated to those around her just who she was and what she was all about. Everyone acquainted with Stella knew her as a well-respected woman who was a stable force in her family.

Her parents were Stanislaus and Pauline Miloszewski who raised Stella in Chicago, Illinois. Even as a youngster, Stella learned to be practical. Her faith in the principles of authority and dependability was something that she carried with her throughout her life.

As a young girl, Stella was able to put her natural abilities to work. She was a bit like the sergeant of the family, helping to make sure that the younger children did what they should do and that they avoided those things they weren’t supposed to. Stella was raised with five siblings. She had an older brother, Roman and two older sisters, Mania & Lodzia. Stella also had two younger brothers, Casimir and Steven. Steven died as a young man. Stella had an inborn appreciation for the order in the family, allowing for the oldest members to be the most respected and to take on the most responsibility. For Stella, this was a natural order of life, one she gladly embraced.

In school, Stella was always good at following directions and meeting her schedules, whether they were set by her teachers or were self-imposed. Stella’s personal motto could well have been, “Do it right the first time.” She graduated from St. Hedwig's grammar school. St. Hedwig parish was in a predominantly Polish area of Chicago on Leavitt Street in 1927. She enjoyed some courses more than others, having favorite classes and teachers. Her favorite class in grammar school was arithmetic.

Stella was sociable and approachable. Because she was always so straightforward in how she approached relationships, friends and family knew that what they saw was always what they got. She enjoyed the camaraderie of being with a group of friends. When Stella was a member of a group, her interaction worked to keep the others grounded. She wasn’t afraid to confront her friends and, when necessary, she challenged them to stick to the task at hand. Those close to Stella came to expect her high standards of performance. While growing up, some of her best friends were her cousins Lottie and Phyllis from Indiana, as well as the Skibinski sisters. Later in life, she became dear friends with Florence, a co-worker and Tina, her bingo crony.

An objective and conscientious individual, Stella reveled in the security of her family. On June 17, 1939 Stella exchanged wedding vows with Casimir Grabski at the St. Hedwig Catholic Church in Chicago, Illinois. One of Stella’s most endearing qualities was her uncanny ability to remember important dates and anniversaries, and her unending enthusiasm for celebrating events with family and friends.

Stella was ever watchful of her children. As mom's do, she worried about them and encouraged their Independence. She maintained a firm hand in their upbringing. Stella would give her stamp of approval to their requests, as long as she could see how they might benefit. She also had the ability to enforce the rules as needed to ensure that her children were properly raised. Their continued education was very important to her. Stella and Cas were blessed with three children: Robert, Ronald, and Richard. They were also blessed with four grandchildren, Lauren, Susan, Ericka and Angela.

Being a hard worker, Stella was always striving to make improvements where they were necessary. She was able to analyze situations and problems, keeping everything and everyone on track. An excellent project supervisor, Stella was a person who could quickly make decisions based on the information available. She worked cooperatively and expected the same from her colleagues. In both her personal and professional environments, Stella upheld her standards. Her primary occupation was as an assembly line supervisor. She was employed for about 19 years by Arvey, now a division of International Paper Co. After graduation from 8th grade, Stella's first job was as a live-in nanny for a well-to-do family in Chicago, returning home on weekends. Another job she fondly mentioned was at Schlosser's Bakery. Stella was a team player who certainly lived out the motto of “give me a job, and I will get it done.”

Stella approached her leisure time in the same manner that she approached her life. A person who understood the nature of things, she appreciated the hours she was able to devote to her various hobbies. Her favorite pursuits were bingo and traveling. Stella was content to enjoy her favorite pastimes alone but was also willing to share her interests with others. She loved to share family history and favorite family stories.

Playing by the rules was a natural thing for Stella to do in life and that carried over to her enjoyment of sports. She also was something of a sports fan and enjoyed watching her favorite events whenever she got the opportunity. Tops on her list were baseball (Stella was a big White Sox fan) and football (Go Bears!).

Faith was important to Stella. She held high moral standards but did not impose them on others. She also held deep spiritual beliefs. She was a member of St. Hyacinth Catholic Parish in Chicago for 55 years, then after moving to the western suburbs in 1994, Stella joined St. Joan of Arc Catholic Parish in Lisle, Illinois. During that time, she was a long-time member of the Polish Women's Alliance and the St. Hyacinth Ladies Organization.

When it came time to travel or take a vacation, Stella was ready to go! Favorite vacations included Hawaii, Las Vegas, and Caribbean Cruises. Between vacations, you could often find her playing bingo at local churches.

When Stella’s retirement finally arrived in 1980, she was well prepared. In retirement, she found new pleasure in even more bingo, continued to stay active in the church, and going shopping with her dear husband, Casimir. In many ways, Stella loved retirement. It provided her with the opportunity to catch up with her friends, attend functions and group outings, and tackle new interesting activities.

She is survived by her sons Ron (Camille), Bob (Carol), and Rich (Anne) as well as her grandchildren Lauren, Susan, Angela and Ericka. Stella is also survived by her sister, Lodzia Tragarz.

All may celebrate Stella's life at visitation Friday, April 9, 2010 from 3-8 pm at Blake-Lamb Funeral Home, 5015 Lincoln Ave., Lisle (on Rt. 53, ½ mile south of Ogden Ave. / Rt. 34) where funeral services will begin Saturday, April 10, 2010 at 8:45 am and proceed to St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church for Mass at 9:30 am. Interment St. Adalbert Cemetery in Niles, Illinois.

All who knew her would agree that Stella was a pillar of the family. She lived her life with her feet firmly on the ground. She had a strong work ethic, was pragmatic in her thoughts and acts, and constantly sought the means for self-improvement. She was willing to share her ideas and knowledge for the benefit of others, so that they could accomplish more in their lives. Stella Grabski did her best to ensure that her family, friends, loved ones, co-workers, and everyone whose life she touched was given the chance to become a better person.

Stella Grabski, nee Miloszewski, age 95, beloved wife of the late Casimir; devoted mother of Bob (Carol), Ron (Camille) and Rich (Ann); loving grandmother of Lauren, Susan, Ericka and Angela; dear sister of Lodzia (late Bruno) Tragarz, and the late Mania (late Stanley) Muczynski, late Roman (late Helen) Miloszewski, late Casimir (late Jean) Miloszewski, & late Steven Miloszewski. Stella was born and raised in Chicago and was a 55 year member of St. Hyacinth Parish. Long time member of Polish Women’s Alliance. Visitation Friday, April 9, 2010 from 3-8 pm at Blake-Lamb Funeral Home, 5015 Lincoln Ave., Lisle (on Rt. 53, ½ mile south of Ogden Ave. / Rt. 34) where funeral services begin Saturday, April 10, 2010 at 8:45 am and proceed to St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church for Mass at 9:30 am. Interment St. Adalbert Cemetery. Condolences may be offered at Blake-LambFuneralHome.com. For info, call 630-964-9392.