Janet R. Swiatkowski

Janet R. Swiatkowski (nee Sikorski), age 90, passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 3, 2025, surrounded by her family.

Born in Chicago, Janet spent most of her life in the Chicagoland area. She was the beloved daughter of the late Edward and Veronica (nee Sawicki) Sikorski and sister to the late Marie. Janet was married to the late Joseph H. Swiatkowski on October 5, 1963. She was the cherished mother of the late John, the late Antionette, Bernadette, and Kenneth, and a devoted busia to Ashley and Stephanie. She is survived by her children, Bernadette Smietana (Andrew) and Kenneth (Valerie), her grandchildren, Ashley and Stephanie, and many nieces, nephews, and friends who will miss her dearly.

Janet grew up in South Chicago and attended St. Mary Magdalene Parish grade school through sixth grade. Her family then relocated to Whitewater, Wisconsin, where they purchased the Twinkling Star Tavern. Janet spent a year attending the town’s one-room schoolhouse before transferring to larger schools in town. During these years, she often pitched in and served patrons their drinks while completing her homework at the far end of the bar.

After high school graduation, Janet returned to Chicago to live with her Aunt Mae and Uncle Hank Sikorski and took a position at Marshall Field’s. While there, she added her lovely soprano voice to the Marshall Field’s choir, thereby earning herself an extra week of vacation. During this time, she developed her passion for travel including a memorable trip to Washington, D.C. with her dear cousin, Marsha Young, as well as many skiing trips.

Janet met her beloved husband, Joseph, at a Halloween party hosted by mutual friends. They were married at her childhood church, St. Mary Magdalene. The couple started their family living on Saginaw Avenue in a two-flat upstairs from her parents. In 1976, they moved to Harvey, purchasing their own two-story home with her parents now living upstairs. Even after they moved out of the city, the family remained active members with the P.R.C.U.A. where her sewing talents were greatly appreciated in costume construction. Janet was a dedicated homemaker, prioritizing education for her children, Bernadette and Kenneth. She volunteered as the librarian at their school, Queen of Apostles, taking it upon herself to revamp the school’s outdated library for the benefit of all students.

After Joseph’s passing in 1982, Janet assumed both parental roles. She worked in the payroll department at Saks Fifth Avenue downtown, while also enrolling in night classes at community college to further her education. Janet earned her associate degree at South Suburban College in 1988 and later worked in the payroll department at Wabash Paper until her retirement in 1999.

In retirement, Janet moved to Monee, where she bought her first brand-new home and became actively involved in the Golf Vista Homeowners Association. She also volunteered as an aide at Monee Elementary School. Janet found great joy in traveling with family, taking multiple road trips to Florida to visit with her cousins Louise and Margie, weekend trips to Michigan, as well as unforgettable adventures to Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks. She kept her treasured driver’s license until the age of 88.

In addition to her love of travel, Janet enjoyed musicals, especially The Sound of Music, reading, gardening, knitting, and was an expert seamstress. She was proud of her hometown and helped pass along many of her Polish traditions to her family. Janet was a lifelong parishioner, attending St. Mary Magdalene, Queen of Apostles in Riverdale, and St. Boniface in Monee, IL.

She will be deeply missed by all who knew her, and her legacy of love, devotion, and strength will live on in the hearts of her family and friends.

A visitation will be held at Kurtz Memorial Chapel in Frankfort, IL on Friday April 11 from 3-8pm, followed by a funeral service at St. Jude Church in New Lenox, IL on Saturday April 12 at noon. Interment will follow at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in Calumet City, IL

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Janet’s Memory to the American Cancer Society or Alzheimer’s Association.