Adrienne Ellen Balanky

Adrienne Ellen Balanky (nee Lauscher). This world lost a sweet lady and a beautiful soul on July 4th, 2016. Born August 22, 1924 in Duluth, Minnesota, she moved with her family to Chicago, Illinois. She had fond memories of growing up in the Windy City and spoke often of downtown Chicago, the restaurants, theaters, the Museum of Science and Industry, the Lincoln Park zoo, and the midway. There was a bank with very large and ornate window ledges. She laughed telling the story of how she convinced her younger sister the ledges were actually coffins and if you got close enough you could hear the bodies moving. We now understand where her son got his wicked sense of humor. Jacksonville became her favorite city when she moved here with her husband in 1949.

Adrienne was blessed with an amazing patience. If something needed doing she did it to perfection. She was an amazing cook. She enjoyed maintaining a beautiful home and a nice yard. A former bookkeeper, her record keeping skills were phenomenal. She could tell you exactly the dollar value of any of her bills for any month from 1949 until her last move in 2008. And it would only have taken her moments to find the information. Her hobbies included knitting, crocheting, cross stitching, reading, and watching Fox News. A gifted seamstress, she made all her own clothing for years. You will not find better constructed clothing custom made to fit. An avid animal lover, she never had an animal she didn’t treasure. To her, animals were not disposable. She kept the world’s meanest Quaker parrot for years even after he bit her more times than can be recalled. She was truly saddened at his passing. She actually cooked for her pets. When she lived in rural Mandarin she also cooked for the opossums, raccoons, and armadillos. She considered them “The people outside”.

Adrienne married the love of her life on July 28th, 1947. They were a devoted and happy couple until John’s passing in 2008. She was predeceased by her parents (Alvis and Anna Lauscher), her 3 sisters (Arletta, Athala, and AnnaMae), her son David, and her son-in-law James Whaley.

She is survived by her daughter Ann Whaley, daughter-law Ellen, grandsons Shawn Whaley, Matthew Balanky (Emily), granddaughter Sarah Halter (Shawn), and 5 lovely great granddaughters.

Per Adrienne’s wishes (read adamant insistence), there will be no funeral or memorial service. To honor her memory please give extra love to your pets and be kind to any other animals you encounter today.