Julie Janette Tornabene

1979 - 2025

Julie Janette Tornabene was born August 5th, 1979 to parents Leonard and Marie Tornabene. Julie grew up in the city of Chicago with her two siblings, Chrissy and Vince. She enjoyed her childhood playing with friends in the neighborhood and bonding with her family members, such as spending time at her Grandma and Grandpa Tornabene’s candy store. She loved animals and always had them in the house, most famously her German Shepard, Samantha who she talked about all the time. Julie was diagnosed as a child with Crohn's disease, and despite the challenges she faced, she remained strong and determined to live life to fullest and not let her diagnoses bring her down.
Julie has two children, her eldest, Isabella Principe born in 2000 (Gage Diel), and her youngest, Victoria Principe born in 2005. She called them “my girls”, and loved them with all her heart. She met her husband, Eric Olearczyk, originally when they were in grade school in Chicago, and in 2017, they married and have lived in Niles for the past 12 years. They have been in love ever since.
In her free time, Julie could be seen making extravagant crafts or desserts, sitting in the sun and enjoying the outside, visiting her family during holidays and events, going on adventures with her sister Chrissy, and doing beauty rituals with her daughters. Julie also loved Wonder Woman because of what she stood for. In Many ways Julie embodied Wonder Woman’s Spirit; strong, brave, and persistent.
In May of 2024, Julie was diagnosed with late stage pancreatic cancer. From that day, she fought each and every moment with all her might to live for herself, her family, and her children. She underwent chemo treatments, doctor’s appointments, highs and lows, all the while keeping her signature sarcasm. As the cancer progressed, it spread to many parts of her body. She chose to fight for her life until the very end. Julie was and is loved by so many and she will be missed dearly. Julie is survived by her husband Eric Olearczyk, her daughters, Isabella Principe-Diel (Gage Diel) and Victoria Principe, her parents, Leonard Tornabene and Marie Tornabene, her siblings, Christina Matuschka (Mark Matuschka) and Vincent Tornabene (Guadalupe Tornabene), and her nieces and nephews, Karina Tornabene, Herlinda Tornabene, Mason Matuschka, and Miles Matuschka.
Anytime anyone who knows Julie sees the color purple, eats green olives, laughs in situations they shouldn’t, we will think of Julie and the forever impact she has had on everyone she has met.

Visitation will be at the Skaja Terrace Funeral Home 7812 N. Milwaukee Avenue Niles on Sunday from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Funeral TUESDAY 10:15 AM to St. John Brebeuf Church Mass 11:00 AM. Services will conclude after church. (Please note, there are no services Monday) Funeral info: 847-966-7302.