FUNERAL HOME

Acevez Funeral Home - Hammond

4404 Cameron Ave

Hammond, Indiana

Helen Opyt Obituary

Helen Opyt (nee Christoff) of Hegewisch, Illinois passed from this life on Jan. 26, 2015. She was the beloved wife of the late Frank F. Opyt; loving aunt to Thomas (Theresa) Brandys, Carol (Richard) Ploog, the late Richard (Mary Beth) Christoff, Judy (Martin) Mahoney, Pam (Ronald) Volkoff, and Deborah (Michael) Cullen; dear great aunt of many nieces and nephews; proud great great aunt of four nephews and four nieces. Helen was born in Hammond, IN to Walter and Bernice Kryzsztof. When Helen was a young girl her family moved to the Hegewisch neighborhood on the far SE side of Chicago where she grew up with her siblings: Lottie (Frank) Brandys and Frank (Dolores) Christoff who preceded her in death, and the late Stanley (Adelle) Christoff. Helen met Frank Opyt after he returned from service in WWII, and they were married on October 13, 1947. In that same year they bought the property at 13350 S. Baltimore Ave., Chicago, IL, and established the Opyt Funeral Home, where Helen lived and served the families of Hegewisch and neighboring communities for 60 years. Helen was a licensed funeral director and worked in all areas of the business alongside Frank. She took the helm in 1977 and continued to arrange funerals until the sale of the business in 2007. Helen was committed to her life's work, bringing strength and dignity to grieving families at their most difficult time. Her quiet grace and sympathy combined with her complete competence endeared her to the community and to the families she served. Appreciative clients, moved by her compassion and caring, wrote countless letters and notes that gave Helen great comfort in her last years when she was not well enough to see her many friends and neighbors in the funeral chapel. Helen and Frank were generous supporters of the community and all churches in Hegewisch. She was a member of the Rosary Ladies and the Daughters of Isabella Ladies Auxiliary Circle #859. Although Helen was never blessed with children of her own, she was a second mother to her nieces and nephews, giving them love and unconditional support throughout their lives. She will be greatly missed. Visitation will be held on Sat. Jan. 31, 2015, from 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at the Anthony & Dziadowicz Funeral Home, 4404 S. Cameron Ave., Hammond, IN 46327 (219-931-2800). Funeral Mass to follow at 10:30 a.m. at St. Florian Church, 13145 S. Houston Ave., Chicago, IL 60633. Entombment: Holy Cross Cemetery. Please omit flowers. Contributions can be made in her name to the American Heart Association (HEART.ORG).

Published by Chicago Tribune Media Group Publication from Jan. 29 to Jan. 30, 2015.
34465541-95D0-45B0-BEEB-B9E0361A315A

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Memories and Condolences
for Helen Opyt

Not sure what to say?





I met Mrs. Opyt 63 years ago when I was 10 years old. My cousin, Eleanor was waked out at the funeral home and Mrs. Opyt knowing of my apprehension of the deceased, calmly reassured me and told me not to be afraid. They would not hurt me, she said. I've loved her from that moment. And although over the years, we weren't in contact that much I always thought about her. My mom passed away at the age of 96 on the day Mrs. Opyt was buried. Two great women meeting for the first time 63 years ago and dying within the same time frame.

Rest in peace, Mrs. Opyt and thank you for your kindness.

Linarae Mueller

February 16, 2015

Helen, thank you very much for all the compassion you showed to our family in sad times through out the years. May you rest in peace & may God bless you!

Carl Ostrowski

February 4, 2015

Our most sincere condolences to All the Family of Mrs. Opyt, Very sad for the loss of a Great Lady, Friend and Most Gracious Neighbor, She will be missed by many, but by none, more than our family, May God Bless and Keep Her.

Nick G. & Ruth A. Petros

January 31, 2015

My parents, Bob and Helen Panayotovich, owned and operated The Flower Box for over thirty years in Hegwisch. Their shop was located just down the street from the Opyt's Funeral Home. In that time, they worked closely with Frank and Helen during some of the hardest times in their customer's lives. The last time I saw Helen was when my mother died a few years ago and she was just as gracious as ever. She was always so kind and helped me with my mother's arrangements. As kids we often listened to her nephew Tommy play the organ in the chapel, of course when there were no customers present. He spent a lot of time with his aunt and uncle. I loved the line in another message about coming into this world with Dr. Zelazny and going out with Opyts. That's exactly the way it was. Hegwisch was a great place in which to live and grow up. The Opyts met the needs of many families and I'd like to think that my parents did as well. I had to write to tell you I had such an odd experience this morning...I actually had a dream in which we were all working busily in the Flower Box (I've had similar dreams many times before) and it was Christmas time. Helen was in my dream buying all sorts of items in the store. Keep in mind, I hadn't talked with Helen for several years as I said, and yet there she was IN my dream. A couple of hours after I woke up my Aunt Violette (my Dad's sister) from Indiana called me to tell me Helen had died. I couldn't believe it. I had a dream about her the night before I found out that she had died. Was it just a coincidence? Somewhat strange, and interesting! I know my parents would be saddened to hear of Helen's passing just as they were when Frank died. Rest in peace, sweet Helen. Thank you so much for all that you have done for my family all those years. My deepest sympathy to her family. Your loss is Heaven's gain.

Melanie Panayotovich-Stefan

January 30, 2015

Our sincere condolences to Helen's family. Our friendship and our professional contact with her and her husband Frank throughout the years will always be remembered in very loving and favorable ways. She was truly a professional impeccable woman whose memory gives grace to our profession.
Sincerely,
John G. Sr. and Pat Schultz/ O'Donnell-Bartz-Schultz/ Donnellan Funeral Home Chicago Il.

January 30, 2015

Helen was a true icon in Hegewisch! Always kind & sincere; may her soul rest in peace. She has been missed so very much, since her illness took her out of Hegewisch. Gone but never forgotten! May God bless her & family.

MaryAnn & Bernie Drosos

January 30, 2015

Condolences to Helen's kin -- she was a warm and wonderful lady -- always a lady with a kind heart.

Andrea Fitzgerald

January 30, 2015

Mrs. Opyt is in my thoughts,my heart and in my prayers. She was always the epitome of satirical splendor and every inch of her was a queen - in Hegewisch or anywhere else. She will long be remembered for her friendship with my parents - Anthony and Estelle Zelazny. I feel fortunate to have known her and her husband. Ken Zelazny

Ken Zelazny

January 30, 2015

What a classy ladie. She was a dear friend, and will be missed.

Ed & Barbara Blaszak

January 30, 2015

My condolences to the Opyt family. Helen was always there when we mourned members of our Chojnacki and Hwastecki families. She was a woman of elegance and class. You will be missed, Helen.

Richard J Mirabelli, Jr

January 30, 2015

Our condolences to the family. Helen was a wonderful, warm and elegant lady. Judi and Mel Chase

January 30, 2015

May your memories of the wonderful times you shared with your loved one comfort you and your family, today and always.

American Heart Association

January 30, 2015

A kind and pure class lady! Always kind to my family during difficult times. I will not forget her loving heart! Janet Jasek Drozda

January 29, 2015

Mrs. Opyt was such a strong and caring person of this community. She helped many families through the most difficult times of their lives with grace and kindness beyond compare. She was admired and loved by many. May she now Rest In Peace and take her comfort wrapped in the arms of Our Lord. Sincerely, Mary T Kucia

Mary T. Kucia

January 29, 2015

She was such an angelic person. She will not be forgotten. May she rest in peace.

Mary ann Majszak

January 29, 2015

A true class act and the most gracious person I have ever met. Helen had style like no other and I am sure there is a wonderful homecoming in heaven tonite.

Bertie Trader

January 29, 2015

Never a hair out of place, dressed beautifully, a picture of class and elegance! Her warm, comforting smile is what I will always remember. Her compassion and comforting to people will never be forgotten! Rest in peace Mrs. Opyt, you will truly be missed!

Barbara (Runge) Pischke

January 29, 2015

A wonderful woman who was always there for so many in their time of need, including our family. 100% Class.
May she rest in peace.
- The Turman Family -

David Turman

January 29, 2015

If Hegewisch were ever to designate a Queen, that person would be Helen. She was a kind woman and genuinely a friend to all who knew her as she served her community. She warmed hearts and softened sorrow by her grace, smile and elegance. I always felt that she and husband Frank were part of the Hegewisch life cycle: brought into to the world by Dr. Zelazny and taken out by the Opyt's.
As much as anybody, Helen was a part of Hegewisch history, greeting the bereaved as she came down the long flight of stairs from her apartment. Now Helen ascends those stairs for the last time to receive her heavenly reward.
The Paszczyk Family

January 29, 2015

Mrs Opyt was truly one classy lady who helped so many of my family members in time of need. - Ruth Smierciak-Bezler

January 29, 2015

A very classy lady who will truly be missed.

Priscilla Koza

January 29, 2015

Mrs Opyt's kind and compassionate ways helped my sisters and I when our parents passed. She was among the great ladies of this town. May she rest in peace.

Suellen Yurkanin-Jaros

January 29, 2015

Mrs Opyt was such a remarkable, compassionate and gracious woman who was a true servant disciple of the
Lord.
Growing up in the community as a child, young person and an altar server at St. Florian, Helen and her husband Frank always had a soft spot for those of us who served funeral masses. There was always a five dollar tip for the servers that she ensured we received after the funeral Mass.
She was always so supportive of my vocation in becoming a priest.

Over the last 34 years whenever I was invited back home to preside at a funeral, I always looked forward to visiting with her and catching up with our lives.

The Book of Proverbs poetically speaks of the Valiant Women. In her compassion, love for people who knew loss in their lives and the sensitivity with which she ministered to the bereaved - Mrs Opyt embraced her call to serve God's people

I trust that she now shares in the reward of her never failing goodness and the care she offered all who approached both her and her staff in times of grief and loss

Eternal rest grant unto you Mrs. Opyt and may you know the glory of the heavenly realm

Father Bernie Pietrzak

January 28, 2015

Showing 1 - 23 of 23 results

Make a Donation
in Helen Opyt's name

Please consider a donation as requested by the family.

Memorial Events
for Helen Opyt

Jan

31

Visitation

8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

Acevez Funeral Home - Hammond

4404 Cameron Ave, Hammond, IN 46327

Jan

31

Funeral Mass

10:30 a.m.

St. Florian Church

13145 S. Houston Ave., Chicago, IL

Funeral services provided by:

Acevez Funeral Home - Hammond

4404 Cameron Ave, Hammond, IN 46327

How to support Helen's loved ones
Commemorate a cherished Veteran with a special tribute of Taps at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor Helen Opyt's life and legacy
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more