Barbara Julia Stukis (nee Zintak), age 96, of Mokena, IL, passed away, surrounded by family, on Tuesday, January 14, 2025. Barbara was born March 4, 1928 in Chicago, the only daughter of Anthony and Julia (Hransky) Zintak. Loving wife to the late Joseph M. Stukis. Preceded in death by her beloved brothers and sisters-in-law, George A. Zintak (Lorraine) and Anthony J. Zintak (Shirley). Dear aunt to George (Marialice), Michael (Patricia), Anthony Jr. (Terese), Ralph (Rebecca) and David (Joanne). Grand-aunt to 15 and great-grand-aunt to 29.
Barbara lived life to the fullest. Her love of people was boundless. She continued making new friends to the very end. Whether by visit, phone, letter, email, or text, she kept in touch with her cherished friends. One such friendship was with Keiko. She met Keiko’s family while visiting Japan on her world cruise in 1975. A teenager at the time, Keiko and her family’s friendship continued to grow as they often exchanged mail and phone calls as well as many visits to Japan and USA.
As much as she loved people, she also loved all of God’s creatures, especially dogs. Barbara and Joe so dearly loved all the dogs they owned through the years, as well as their cat and two ponies. Barbara’s wonderful life went full circle. Born and raised in Chicago, then to Minnesota, Ohio, North Carolina, and back to the Chicago area. Upon returning there, she was able to spend holidays and many special celebrations with her family. She still played her electric piano beautifully, and with her love for music, never passed on an opportunity to attend concerts in parks, bars and theaters. The last two years she attended almost every homecoming for Honor Flight Chicago at Midway Airport to thank our veterans as they returned from a day of honor in Washington DC. Her nostalgic trips down memory lane were brought to life visiting old neighborhoods and places she went to as a teenager. She could tell you who she was with and what she was wearing. Her interests were far too numerous to list and her thirst for knowledge never stopped.
On Saturday, February 15, 2025, there will be a visitation from 9:00-10:00 a.m., immediately followed by a Funeral Mass at St. Stephen Deacon and Martyr, Tinley Park, IL. Her ashes will then be buried with her beloved husband in The Lithuanian National Cemetery, Justice IL.
Memorial donations to any veteran group or animal shelter are appreciated. Near and dear to Barbara are P.A.W.S. of Tinley Park (pawstinleypark.org) and Honor Flight Chicago (honorflightchicago.org)
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