Helen V. Wojcik

Helen V. Wojcik, passed away on Tuesday, March 28, at home. She was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, Stanley S. Wojcik and her siblings, Joseph, Alex, John, Jeannette, (Chwierut) and Alice (Stec). She is survived by one brother Frank who lives in Jacksonville Florida and her children, Nancy (Gaylord Workman); Kenneth (Karin); Marlene (Guy Radcliffe); Larry (Eileen). Survivors also include her granddaughters Cassandra Workman (Keith Williams); Marlana Radcliffe (Zachery Tracer); Michelle and Jacqueline Wojcik; great-grandsons Damian and Elijah Williams. She had numerous nieces and nephews. Helen was a life-long resident of Chicago who was born on September 15, 1920. Both of her parents, Veronica and Frank were Polish immigrants and through them she became active in many Polish-American Organizations. She served as the National Vice President and later the President of the Polish Women’s Alliance (PWA). In her years representing the organization, she traveled extensively and met many American Presidents, including Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan, George H. Bush and Bill Clinton. She served in office during the Solidarity Independence Movement in Poland and was a frequent representative to functions honoring the Polish pope and St. John Paul II, whom she met on several occasions. As a leader of Polonia, She was most proud of the many charitable and cultural activities undertaken by the PWA. She often mentioned some of them, such as the donation of fully equipped ambulances to hospitals in Poland during her visit in 1992 and the return of the body of the composer Ignacy Paderewski to his homeland. In edition she worked on the Ellis Island Restoration Project which was a tribute to the many immigrant groups who entered the United States through that facility. She was past President of St. Joseph Ladies of the Rosary. Besides her many contributions, she retained a strong love for Polish cuisine and she never passed on Polish pastries and desert, often preferring it to her entrees. Funeral Saturday 9:30 AM from FORAN FUNERAL HOME 7300 West Archer Ave. (55th St. just West of Harlem) to St. Joseph Church. Mass 10 AM. Entombment Resurrection Cemetery, Garden Mausoleum. Visitation will be held Friday from 3 PM to 9 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Orchard Lake Schools (Michigan) or to the Illinois State Library and Talking Book and Braille Service. For information 708-458-0208.

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Helen V. Wojcik

September 15, 1920 - March 28, 2017