Helen Lobkovich

Helen Lobkovich (nee Szafranski), age 88, passed away peacefully in Naperville, IL, on August 18, 2023. She was born in Detroit, MI, the oldest daughter of the late Antony and Pearl Szafranski. Daughter-in-law to the late John and Agnes Lobkovich. Preceded in death also by her husband Tom, her brother John, her sister Jean and her sister Mary.

Helen was a devoted wife, mother and homemaker who also worked outside the home for many years. She graduated from Chadsey High School in Detroit. Proficient in shorthand, she began her professional life as a secretary with Detroit Edison until the birth of her first child. She returned to the workforce after her children became older and worked as an administrative assistant with ServiceMaster for over 20 years, prior to retiring in 2004.

Helen married the love of her life, Tom, on May 2, 1959 and they celebrated over 60 years of marriage, prior to his death in 2019. They were long-time residents of Lisle, IL prior to retiring to Crest Hill, IL in 2004.

Family was the center of Helen’s life. She took great joy in the lives and accomplishments of her family, both immediate and extended She relished family gatherings, especially holidays and weddings, and was known for her joy in hosting annual family Thanksgivings, where out-of-town and in-town family would gather. She made Thanksgiving an unmistakable celebration and tradition in the lives of her children and grandchildren. She was proud of her Ukrainian heritage and featured it prominently in her home.

Friends were also very important to Helen and she welcomed all. She and her late husband Tom regularly got together with neighborhood friends to bowl, play cards and play Wii bowling. Her children often felt that her friends and co-workers were part of the extended family as Helen shared and re-counted their daily events. Helen looked forward to weekly phone calls and monthly get-togethers with friends and former co-workers to catch up and share the events of their lives. Her numerous contributions to other's lives will be sorely missed and forever appreciated.

She is survived by son Tom (Lisa), son Ken, son Mike (Kathy) and daughter Mary Anne Blanchard (Keith). Loving grandmother of Eric (Nicole), Krista (Michael), Kevin, Steven, Bryan, Cory, Kyle and Kaitlin. Proud step-grandmother to Sienna and Ben. Proud great-grandmother to Oliver and Miles. She is also survived by her brother Joe Szafranski and sisters-in-law Elizabeth Volstromer and Jean Lobkovich. Loving aunt and great-aunt of many and loyal friend to many more.

Funeral Mass to be held on Saturday, October 21 at 11:00 a.m. at St Dennis Church, 1214 Hamilton Street in Lockport. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the American Lung Association.