Obituaries

Julie A. Henderson, age 53, of Chicago passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 4, 2020 at Seasons Hospice, Swedish Covenant Hospital. She was born December 15, 1966 to James and Judith (Holmes) Henderson in Rockford, IL. She grew up in Holland, MI and Valparaiso, IN. Julie graduated from Indiana University in 1989 with degrees in Art History and Italian. Upon graduation, she moved to Chicago where she worked at Art Mecca for several years before moving on to Morningstar. She then decided to fulfill her calling by earning her Master’s degree in teaching from DePaul University. She graduated in 1999 and started teaching Italian to students in kindergarten through 8^th grade, first at Sayre Language Academy and then at AJLA. Her students were her world, and she was so excited to be able to take a few groups to tour Italy. Over the past several years, Julie developed her artistic talent in photography. Her photographs are reflective of how she viewed life and the world. She saw beauty in the mundane and broken as well as in the classically beautiful. She treasured the many family gatherings, trips, and celebrations. Julie is survived by her loving parents Jim and Judy, dear sister Jennifer, as well as beloved aunts, uncles, cousins, and many friends. She will be remembered by her smile that lit up every room and her generous spirit that touched many hearts. If you would like to make a donation in Julie’s honor, consider Gilda’s Club (https://www.gildasclubchicago.org/ways-give/donate/general-donations ), PAWS Chicago (https://www.pawschicago.org/how-to-help/donate/), or Dysautonomia International – the POTS research fund (https://dysautonomiainternational.salsalabs.org/donate/index.html  ). Or you can go out into the world and spread kindness. A private burial will take place at a later date at Graceland Cemetery in Chicago. A celebration of life is planned for summer 2021.

Janice M. Krzywonos nee Bugajski; beloved wife of the late David; adored mother of Mark (Jeannie), Carolyn, and Michele (Beto) Ortiz; cherished grandmother of Kristie (Daniel) Gonzalez, Samantha, Brendan, and Noah; loving great grandmother of Aiden and Mia; fond aunt and friend of many. She is preceeded in death by her parents, Joseph and Mariann nee Solarski and her siblings, Walter, Josephine, Alfrieda (“Fritzie”) and Edmund. Services private. Interment St. Adalbert Cemetery. For info, 773-777-3944.

Theresia Weis nee Vargo, 86; beloved wife of Peter; adored mother of Terri (Mike) Gentile, Dorothy (Mike) Mascio, and Annie (Peter) Wasyliw; cherished grandmother of Nicole (Ryan) Holmbeck, Dana (Ryan) Burback, Christina Gentile, Kristen Mascio, and Jennifer (Luke) Lasak, Joseph Mascio, Peter (Paige) Wasyliw, Nicholas Wasyliw, and Michael Wasyliw; loving great grandmother of Liliana, James, Liam, and Scarlett; fond aunt and friend of many. Services private. Interment St. Adalbert Cemetery. For info, 773-777-3944 or www.GFFH.com

Blanche Chester Bell El of Chicago was born June 14, 1953 in Chicago Heights, Illinois, to Herman Bell and Cecelia Cole Bell. Blanche passed away at his home on November 10, 2020.

He was a devoted and loving husband, father, and grandfather.

In addition to being a wonderful father to his ten children, Blanche was a father-figure to many young people in his life.

For over forty years, Blanche worked as a carpenter. He mentored several young men during this time.

He was inspired by the beauty of nature and loved to work in the garden.

Blanche was an avid reader and had a great interest in religion, history, and The Constitution of The United States.

In his free time, he enjoyed camping at Starved Rock, martial arts, cooking, and playing video games with his grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his loving parents Herman Bell and Cecelia Cole Bell, his brothers William and Albert Thomas Bell and his sister Marlene Ridgner. He leaves behind to cherish his memory, his loving wife of forty-four years, Laura, his children: Afitene (Tom), Aisha, Shadiya (Mike), Nasrina (Joe), Haniya, Kafi (Claire), Aliyah (Corey), Dawood, Bari and Abriel (Hannah) his grandchildren: Michael, David, Nicholas, Jacob, Chloe, Grace, Clara, Damien, Isaac, Felix, Jack, Seth, Grayson and Ella; three brothers: Bishop Herman Wayne (Lousie), Carl Bell, Marc Bell (Linda); and five sisters: Cecelia Williams, Karen Bell, Marva Bell, Lillian Ross and Janet Harris and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Inna Lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un.

John William McNair; beloved husband of Maureen née Dolan; loving father of John Malcolm, Margaret (Patrick) Carey, Sheila (Benjamin Bellmore), James Douglas and Michael Andrew; cherished grandfather of Maureen and Ann Marie Carey and Rosemary Alice Bellmore; dear brother of Elizabeth Mayer; fond “outlaw”, uncle, cousin and friend to many. President of Chopin Park Baseball Association for 23 years. Services Private with a Memorial at a later date. Interment All Saints Cemetery.

Joseph T. O’Connor, 65, died suddenly; beloved son the late Joseph M. and Margaret M; loving brother of Patrick, John (Maryann), Mary Anne (John) Martin and the late Edward; cherished uncle, cousin and friend to many. Joe “JT” loved being in contact with friends and family through social media, long phone calls, and greeting cards. He will be missed by many. Services Private.

Sister Flannan (Margaret) McGuane, OP, at home with God on October 28, 2020.  Native of Moycullen, Dysart, County Clare, Ireland.  She entered the Sinsinawa Dominican Congregation in 1957.  Flannan managed the Mother House kitchen and bakery from 1960 to 2003.  There she created Mound Cinnamon Bread which is now a favorite of the Sisters, guests and people around the world.  Sadly missed by her family, Kathleen ( late Tony) Brady, Monica, Eileen (Aidan) O’Donoghue, Joe (Philomena) and the late John, Mary, Michael and Teresa, nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews and her Sisters at the Dominican Mound.  Wake and Funeral to be streamed respectively at www.sinsinawa.org on Monday 11-9 at 6:30pm and Tuesday 11-10 at 10:30am.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in the name of Sister Flannan at www.sinsinawa.org.

John P. Little; beloved son of Rose M. nee O’Donnell and the late John L.; loving nephew of Thomas (the late Adonai), Margaret Dunn, the late John O’Donnell, James O’Donnell, and Joseph (the late Elaine) O’Donnell; cherished grand nephew of the late Delia Keegan and Anna Lee; dear grandson of the late Patrick and Mary O’Donnell of Carna and Rosmuc, Co. Galway, Ireland and the late Perry and Elizabeth Little of Co. Kerry, Ireland; fond cousin and friend to many. Visitation Tuesday 10-11 AM at St. Robert Bellarmine Church, 4646 N. Austin Ave. Mass 11 AM. *Due to Covid-19 restrictions, masks and social distancing are required and space is limited. If attending the Visitation, please plan to stay for Mass.* Interment All Saints Cemetery.

Visitation: Wednesday October 21, from 10 AM util time of Service at 11:30 AM at Gibbons Family Funeral Home

Interment: Maryhill Cemetery

Jacinto B. Aragones, 78, Civil Engineer; beloved of husband Aida; loving father of Aileen, Jonathan (Joy), Arthur (Irada), Jenny Eric) Tatro, cherished grandfather of Joshua, Micah, Daniel, James, Sam, Vivienne, Evelyn and Daniel, dear brother of Genaro and Leonila; fond uncle and friend to many. Visitation Saturday 10:30-11:30 AM at Gibbons Family Funeral Home, *Due to Covid-19 restrictions, masks and social distancing are required and space is limited to 50 people at a time.* Mass 12:30 at St. Wenceslaus Church,*Due to Covid-19 restrictions, masks and social distancing are required and space is limited to 50 people for Mass.* Interment Mt. Olive Cemetery.

The visitation will be streamed at the link below. You may need to refresh your page if you can’t see it during the set hour. Video of the mass and cemetery service will be uploaded later on Saturday and will be found here.