Grace H. Stegnerski-Gorski

Grace H. Stegnerski-Gorski (nee Strzelecki) passed away peacefully on May 26, 2016 at the age of 92. She was born in Chicago to Stanley and Anna (nee Lorenz) Strzelecki. Grace, the baby of the family, was doted on by her three older siblings: the late Florence (the late Harry) Ginter, the late Stanley (the late Florence) Strzelecki, and the late Dorothy (the late Al) Urbanski.

Grace turned heads with her stunning good looks and at age 18, won a beauty contest sponsored by a Chicago radio station. She was more than a knock-out; Grace was an accomplished secretary with exceptional typing skills too.

She had plenty of suitors, but Stanley J. Stegnerski was the man who won her heart. They married on October 5, 1946 and lived on the Northwest side of Chicago where they raised their three devoted daughters: Cynthia Marie (Edward) Blindt, Debra Jean (Richard) Nelson, and Patricia Suzanne (Jeffrey) Sobczak.

Grace loved being a mom and a homemaker. This was evident as soon as you walked through the door of her home, where your senses were treated to the smells and tastes of her delicious meals and fabulous desserts, and your eyes feasted on the flair of her stylish, well-kept home. One thing was always certain: Grace made everyone feel welcomed and special, and no one ever left her home hungry!

After Stanley’s passing in 1980, Grace found love again and married Michael T. Gorski in 1984. Widowed once more in 1991, Grace focused her devotion to caring for her disabled sister and looking after her two young grandsons. Grace had a passion for giving, and found great satisfaction in being a member of her church’s community.

She was President of the Ladies’ Rosary Sodality of St. Ladislaus Parish for 35 years, and organized and participated in many fundraising efforts and special celebrations throughout her lengthy term. Her tireless volunteering earned her a “Woman of the Year” Award in 1995 by the Archdiocese of Chicago.

As Grace’s health began to decline in 2008, she was forced to slow down, but her spirit remained amazingly strong!

Even when she could no longer cook, she entertained her guests with take-out food.

Grace adored her 7 grandchildren: Kimberly and Richard (Jennifer) Krocza; Brandon (Nikki) Blindt; George and Jacob Nelson; Jefferson and Benjamin Sobczak. She delighted in being Great-Grandmother to Katie and Emily Krocza. Grace had a special bond with her niece Gloria Urbanski, and was treasured by many nieces and nephews.

Her family will be forever grateful for her generous nature, compassion for all creatures, and progressive ideals for humanity. Grace believed in Love. She made friends with and embraced people from all walks of life. She will be remembered for her youthful, positive spirit and open heart. She had a larger than life personality, never went a day without several spritzes of perfume and slathering of Pond’s cold cream, and always enjoyed the company of her family and friends. Grace will be missed, but her loved ones are comforted by knowing she lived a full and wonderful life.

For those who would like to leave a tribute to Grace’s memory, donations to

Paws Chicago www.pawschicago.org, The Anti-Cruelty Society www.anticruelty.org

or an animal shelter of your choice would be greatly appreciated.

Visitation will be Wednesday, June 1, 10:00 am until 12:00 pm at Montclair-Lucania Funeral Home, 6901 W. Belmont Ave, Chicago. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 1:00 p.m. at St. Ladislaus Catholic Church, Chicago. Interment will follow at St. Adalbert Cemetery, Niles.