Martha Louise Stolarski

Martha Stolarski, a lifelong resident of Cicero, Illinois, passed away in her sleep on Monday, February 23, 2026. The cause of her death was listed as heart failure but the real story was that she thought it was too long since she had seen her late husband, Joseph.

Martha was born in East Chicago, Indiana on December 4,1922, one of 8 children, two of which died in infancy. Her family moved to Cicero not too long after her birth where her father had purchased a tavern in the 2900 block of 48th Court. While some might question the purchase of a tavern in the middle of prohibition, it proved to be success. Martha was engaged in serving lunches to the Western Electric employees working nearby as well as attending school at St. Mary’s of Czestochowa down the street. In her teens she graduated from Morton High School and worked at the tavern in evenings and weekends.

Martha saw her 3 brothers go off to war after the bombing of Pearl Harbor and did her best to support the war effort. She sold war bonds at various factories in Cicero and she and her best friend, Rita Asselborn, worked at the USO in Chicago.

Martha met Joe at the tavern and it was love at first sight. They married in November, 1944. She gave birth to 3 boys, Paul, Joe Jr. and Michael over the next decade. Motherhood found her involved in the education and upbringing of the boys. She honed her skills at guilt trips and when the boys became too unruly, the “wait til you father gets home” threat. Mom was always active in St. Mary’s mother’s club and continued to be active long after we completed grade school.

Martha went to beauty school in the fifties and became a licensed hairdresser in the early sixties. She opened her beauty salon at home and continued serving a large clientele for the next 3 decades.

Martha will be missed by all who knew her.