Eugenia Kaukialo

Eugenia Kaukialo entered into heaven on August 3, 2021. She was born to Stella and Michael Dzmidas on July 29, 1935 the second of four girls, Dorothy, Eugenia, Jeanie and Jeanette. Stella passed away when Eugenia was at the tender age of two. Her father Michael then met her stepmother, Helen 5 years later and two more daughters, Phyllis and Helen, were welcomed into the family. Eugenia remained close to her sisters and kept family traditions alive throughout her life, including a family Lithuanian Christmas Eve party tradition that lasted for 50 years.

Eugenia graduated from Kelly High School where she started a life-long friendship with the Kool Katz: Marilyn, Evelyn, Tessie, Jerry, Yolanda, Eileen, Lori and Rosie. Eugenia was the president of the amazing Kool Katz club. The Kool Katz loved dancing. They would be seen at their sponsor’s tavern dancing on top of tables or the bar. The Kool Katz have gathered for lunches often for over 65 years and took an extended trip of a lifetime to Las Vegas to visit Eileen and Evelyn. When the trip was about to end, The Kool Katz detoured to San Diego on a wild whim.

Eugenia met Leonard Kaukialo working at Bill Becker Chevrolet. They enjoyed a loving 60 year marriage and had two children, Jackie and Tom who were born on the same day, four years apart. The family lived in Oak Lawn then moved to Palos Hills to enjoy a life as horse owners, taking long rides and being members of the Palos Hills Horseman’s Association. The family later moved to Frankfort to live on a larger horse property. Eugenia became part of the Green Garden Community, playing Bunco and supporting Saddles and Spurs 4-H club. Weekends were spent at horse shows for Jackie and ball games for Tom. Once the kids were raised, Eugenia purchased a vacation home at Sandy Pines near Holland Michigan, next door to her sister Dorothy. It was the family gathering place for holiday weekends and summer vacations for the entire family.

Eugenia and Leonard eventually moved to Orland Park to be close to Jackie and Dean and their two kids, Kayleigh and John. Eugenia was a babysitter for Kayleigh and John from birth through grade school.

Eugenia and Leonard were always present for Tom and his wife Erin and their children, Katie and Matthew, too. They attended so many of Matthew and Katie’s sporting events and special celebrations at school regardless of the distance.

Eugenia was affectionately called “Grammy” by her grandchildren Kayleigh, John, Matthew and Katie and Kayleigh and John’s spouses Matt and Emily and her great grandchildren Conrad, Madeleine and Benjamin. Grammy was famous for chocolate brownies, her kindness especially towards the “under dog”, her loving life lessons, and her ability to make every person she met with feel special.

In every interaction, even at the end, she always made sure the other person felt good by telling a funny story, doing a dance or giving them a warm pat of love. She had pixie dust that she sprinkled everywhere making everyone fall in love with her. Loving life lessons include: be tolerant, with a capital T, use your sense of humor to keep things positive, and love your dog like a member of the family. The kindness and grace you see in Eugenia’s children, grandchildren and great grandchildren is a pure reflection of her.

Eugenia touched the lives of many others as a mentor when they needed her unique ability to value and support them. She had the gift of finding a way to connect with everyone, even if she had met them for the first time. She was someone everyone was drawn towards because of her accepting nature and kind heart. Eugenia made everyone in her life feel accepted, loved, and valued. Her legacy and life lessons will live on through all the lives she that has touched.

In the end, Eugenia and Leonard moved to Jackie’s cottage in Beverly Shores, to spend her final days. She passed peacefully under the care of her children, husband and grandchildren with the support of hospice services. She continued to sprinkle pixie dust upon everyone who cared for her in her final moments.

A memorial visitation is scheduled for Wednesday, August 11 from 2:00 to 5:00pm at Kurtz Memorial Chapel at 65 Old Frankfort Way, Frankfort, IL 60423.

Friends or family wishing to make a donation to an organization that was important to Eugenia can make a donation in her name at the American Institute for Cancer Research at www.aicr.org. Cards or donation notifications can be mailed to the Family of Eugenia Kaukialo at PO Box 485, Beverly Shores, Indiana 46301.