Helena Palarz, 74, a devoted wife, mother and woman of deep faith, died unexpectedly Nov. 16, 2025, in Homer Glen.
She was born Nov. 19, 1950, in Poland and carried with her throughout her life the heritage, resilience and traditions of her homeland. She met her husband, Stanley, in the Polish countryside, and together they began a lifelong partnership marked by mutual respect, devotion and love. The couple later immigrated to the United States, where they built a life rooted in family and faith.
Palarz is survived by her husband and their four children — Stan, Tom, Mike and Beata — each of whom, her family says, inherited her kindness, strength and generous spirit.
A devout Catholic, Palarz lived her faith through quiet acts of compassion and charity. She instilled in her children the importance of spiritual growth, service to others and gratitude for life’s blessings. Her home was known as a warm and welcoming place, filled with laughter, tradition and the steady guidance she offered with grace.
She embraced her adopted country while preserving the culture of her Polish roots, becoming a storyteller and keeper of family history for future generations. Her life served as a bridge between the old world and the new, showing her family the value of honoring their heritage while embracing new opportunities.
Her family remembers her as the heart of their home — a matriarch who embodied perseverance, gentleness and love. Her legacy, they say, will endure through the wisdom she shared and the memories she created.
Visitation will be held from 3 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19, at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Ave., Justice.
Funeral prayers and procession will begin at 9 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, from the funeral home to Our Lady Mother of the Church Polish Mission, 116 Hilton St., Willow Springs, for a 10 a.m. Mass.
Interment will follow at Resurrection Cemetery in Justice.
For information, call 708-496-0200 or visit kaminskifamilyfuneralhomes.com.