Gloria B. Schwendner, 94, nee Borucki; passed into eternal life on Friday, April 9, 2021 at Burgess Square Healthcare Centre in Westmont. She was born in Chicago on September 5, 1926 to Frank and Anna Borucki, the youngest of 5 girls.
On January 31, 1948, Gloria married George Schwendner at Epiphany Church in Chicago. They were married for 62 years and made their home in the Village of Forest View for most of that time. Gloria worked at JC Penney Company for over 25 years and greatly enjoyed the time with her co-workers, some of whom became lifelong friends. She and George enjoyed spending time with friends and could often be found at their favorite restaurant, PJ Klems. She was grateful for close friendships with longtime neighbors in the village, who would look in on her regularly. Gloria especially loved hearing from her children and grandchildren and following their activities and news.
When the current pandemic and days of remote learning began, Gloria spoke about a childhood experience of her own with remote learning. Due to a local outbreak of polio in 1937, children were kept home from school and instructed to listen to the radio every day at 3:00 for assignments. Homework was to be turned in when school resumed. Gloria and her sister Lorrayne were dismayed to find that they were among the few that had done the work.
Gloria was kind, unassuming, and had many talents that her family enjoyed.
The family dog was so well trained by Gloria, that Duchess would not step across the threshold from the kitchen into the living room. She made the best coffee and dyed the most brilliant Easter eggs. After many years of her family attempting to duplicate her results, she casually mentioned that she always used double the dye!
Gloria is survived by her daughter, Lynne (James) Harris and her son, Lee (Carla) Schwendner and 4 grandchildren, Scott (Julie) Harris, Anne (Tim) Heckman, Eric Schwendner, Emily Schwendner (fiancé Jacob Jewulski), and several much-loved nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband George in 2010, her parents, and 4 sisters, Elsie, Helen, Gertie, and Lorrayne.
Visitation will be Thursday, April 15th from 4:00-7:00 pm at Mount Auburn Funeral Home in Stickney. A funeral mass will be celebrated on Friday, April 16th at 10:00 am at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Stickney. Burial will follow the mass at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Hillside.
In lieu of flowers, donations to St Jude Children’s Hospital, in memory of Gloria, would be appreciated.
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