Agnes A Friend

Agnes A. Friend, 97, of Chicago went to eternal rest on Wednesday, January 18, 2017, just days shy of her 98th birthday. Born, January 22, 1919 in Montreal, WI to Anton and Antoinette (Dobrowolski) Dedo. She was the oldest sister to Irene Guzik and Sigismund Dedo. Agnes accomplished 70 wonderful years of marriage with her dear loving husband, Donald, and together they raised two daughters Donna Wolff and Marian. She was a cherished and proud grandmother of Heather (Bill) Griffin and Chris Wolff. Other beloved family members include, sisters-in-law, brother-in-law, many nieces, nephews, as well as godchildren too numerous to name. Agnes had a zest for life and a passion for Polka music which she shared with her many friends who loved to dance. She had a welcoming smile and a sense of humor that allowed her to easily engage in conversations with the likes of total strangers. She encountered several career paths, the most fulfilling being in the area of hospitality. She worked for many years for Canteen Corporation serving at WGN radio and TV on Bradley Place in Chicago. Although the work was demanding and many times she came home aching and exhausted, she was thrilled to meet a wide variety of TV, movie, and radio celebrities including Lawrence Welk, Myron Floren, Burt Reynolds, Robert Redford, Phil Donahue, Wally Phillips, Bob Collins, Roy Leonard, and Orion Samuelson to name a few. She even hosted several politicians including governors and presidents. Agnes also loved planning events for the Chicago Cubs and wining and dining the sponsors at lunches and dinners where she would also get to entertain with the team players. After retirement, she travelled with Don and a group of friends, some of which Agnes had met years prior to her and Don being married while working at Zenith Radio during the war. She always looked forward to interacting with friends at many of her polka clubs as well as with her neighbors at the Forest Glen Young at Heart Club. Her signature gift of joy shown through her laughter and joking will never be forgotten. A memorial mass will be held 10 a.m. Saturday, January 28, 2017 at Queen of All Saints Basilica, 6280 N. Sauganash Ave, Chicago, IL, 60646. Interment immediately following mass at Maryhill Cemetery 8600 N. Milwaukee Ave, Niles, IL, 60714. A heartfelt thanks from the family are extended to Vicky and Donnie for the compassion and love shown in their care for Agnes. A special thanks also goes to the staff and several residents at Alden North Shore in Skokie where Donald has been a resident for almost three years. When feeling well enough to attend, Agnes would visit and have lunch with her “honey” at Alden and the staff would take committed care of her just as if she were a resident there. The family has always felt welcomed at Alden and for that will always be grateful for the memories that were created and shared there together. A sincere thanks to Jackie who over the years brought communion on Sundays to Agnes. Lastly and most recently a grateful thank you to the staff at Rainbow Hospice. The guidance to the family and the concern shown for Agnes during her last days will be warmly remembered. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Rainbow Hospice, www.rainbowhospice.org or Alzheimer’s Association, www.alz.org