Kathleen Jaszka

Kathleen Ann Jaszka, died peacefully in her home at The Birches in Clarendon Hills, IL at age 93 on November 7, 2023.She was a beloved mother, grandmother, aunt and friend of many.  Often known as Kate or Kay, she was also known as Red for her beautiful red curly hair.  Kate was born in Chicago on June 22, 1930 to parents John and Bridget Cahill, the third child of seven.  She graduated from St. Mary's High School in Chicago and married at a young age, and quickly they became the parents of four boys. Infant son  Peter died shortly after birth. She and her husband Joe raised their family in Elk Grove Village.  After being a stay at home mother for many years, Kate started a job at the local school district offices in Elk Grove Village, honing her skills as a sharp and accurate bookkeeper.  She worked there until her retirement. Kate was a gracious lady, always polished in her appearance and speech. Kate loved to travel and went to England and Ireland numerous times. Her travels fueled her interest in English and Irish books and music. Kate was an avid reader, often finishing a book in a day--especially a good British detective story.  Kate was known to her family as an amazing baker, and would crank out chocolate chip cookies by the dozens for her boys.  Dessert was always her favorite course of any meal and she always had room for it!

After the loss of two more of her sons in 2013 and 2014, Kate moved from Elk Grove to Burr Ridge to be closer to her niece Mary Bauer, with whom she enjoyed a deeply bonded mother-daughter relationship.  In her later years, Kate participated in many Bauer family gatherings, parties and outings.  Some of her favorites were going to Weber's Bakery in Chicago with Mary's husband Pat, selecting far more goodies than she could possibly eat---or coffee with a big slice of anything chocolate at Toni's Patisserie in Hinsdale. Sweets for the Sweet. And who could forget her passion for cosmetics at the Blue Mercury store!  Not only did Kate exhibit a sweetness, she was also fiery and resilient.  She weathered many a storm in life with grace and dignity and taught us all how to behave in adversity and sorrow. But it was Kate's lifelong Catholic faith that enabled her to do so.  It was Irish strong, a source of joy, comfort, and peace. She was especially devoted to Blessed Mother and the Rosary.  A rosary could always be found in her jacket pocket.  Kate loved her family fiercely and poured out her love upon them, and in turn we found ourselves loving her all the more. Her tender heart will always be remembered.

Kate is survived by her son Paul (Laarnie)Cahill  grandchildren Jason Jaszka, Jacqueline (John Saito)Jaszka , two great grandchildren Oliver and Christopher Saito, niece Mary (Pat)Bauer and many more nieces and nephews, great nieces and great nephews, and a great great niece, and a great great nephew. She was pre-deceased by her parents John and Bridget Cahill, children Peter Jaszka, Joseph Jaszka and Steven Jaszka, her ex-husband Joseph Jaszka, siblings Dolores Eslinger, Daniel Cahill, Rev John Cahill, Timothy Cahill, Richard Cahill and Patrick Cahill.  

A visitation will be held on Sunday November 12, 2023 from 2pm to 5pm at Adolf & Powell Funeral Home, 7000 S Madison St. Willowbrook, IL 60527. Family and friends will meet for a 10am funeral mass on Monday November 13, 2023 at St Isaac Jogues Church, 4th and Clay St, Hinsdale, IL 60521. Interment Queen of Heaven Cemetery. 

Memorials in Kathleen Jaszka's name may be sent to 

The Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (BVM Sisters) Development Office

1100 Carmel Drive, Dubuque, IA  52003-7991, (563)588-2351, BVMSISTERS.org

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Kathleen Jaszka, please visit our floral store.