Photo courtesy of Skaja Terrace Funeral Home - Niles
Niles, Illinois
May 16, 1934 – Sep 15, 2024 (Age 90)
Danuta Jadwiga Pruchnicki, 90, of Arlington Heights, Illinois; loving wife, mother and grandmother, passed away at her home of 55 years on September 15, 2024 from complications caused by Alzheimer’s disease.
Danuta was born on May 16, 1934 to Mieczyslaw and Jadwiga Solecki (nee Siegel) in Warsaw, Poland. Her father died when she was a toddler. Danuta was 5 years old when the Nazis invaded Poland, and her first memories as a child were of her and her mother delicately navigating life in Nazi-occupied Warsaw.
After graduating with a degree in industrial engineering from the Politechnika Warszawska in the mid-1950s, Danuta held a number of engineering positions in Warsaw.
In the early-1960s, like many Poles before her, Danuta emigrated to Chicago. On her first night in the city, she attended a party hosted by her future husband, Henry Pruchnicki. They were married in 1965 and went on to have a son, Raymond H. Pruchnicki.
Danuta was a stay at home mother until the time her son began high school, and then worked for several years as an engineer at Glenview, Illinois-based Zenith Electronics. Danuta retired in the early 2000s and spent her time caring for and being with her grandchildren, socializing with both her Polish and “American” friends, and attending as many of her grandchildren’s sporting and other events as humanly possible.
Danuta will be remembered for her joyous demeanor and kindhearted personality. Though Danuta’s life began with many hardships, her time on earth blossomed into a life of love. Even though Alzheimer’s took over her mind, it never touched the warmth in her heart; Danuta always had hugs and love for all those around her.
Danuta was predeceased in death by her husband of 30+ years Henry and her second husband Andrew. Danuta is survived by her son Raymond (Imily) of Evanston, IL and her grandchildren Michael of Washington, DC, Emily of Sammamish, WA, and Caroline of Evanston, IL.
Visitation will be held at the Skaja Terrace Funeral Home, 7812 N. Milwaukee Ave. Niles, IL. on Monday September 23, 2024 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM. Funeral Mass 11:00 AM at the St. John Brebeuf Church, 8307 N. Harlem Ave., Niles, IL. Entombment Maryhill Cemetery Mausoleum. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to The Alzheimer's Association. For more funeral info call 847-966-7302
Read MoreSerdeczne uczucia sympatii dla rodziny. Pani Danusi mio nigdy nie bdzie zapomniana. Rodzina Klincewicz
(Marta, Basia, Marek oraz ukasz wsp.)
Klincewicz
September 22, 2024 | Union Pier, MI
Serdeczne uczucia sympatii dla rodziny. Pani Danusi mio nigdy nie bdzie zapomniana. Rodzina Klincewicz
(Marta, Basia, Marek oraz ukasz wsp.)
Klincewicz
September 22, 2024 | Union Pier, MI | Friend
I worked with your Mom and Dad at Zenith. Your Dad was my supervisor for many years. Every year I would put the department Christmas tree up with Donna and every year she would tell me Andrew large ornaments on the bottom of the tree and the small ornaments on the top of the tree. She was a wonderful person and will surely be missed.
Andrew Oboza
September 22, 2024 | Niles, IL | Friend
To the family of Danuta, I knew her as Donna, my deepest sympathies to you and your extended family members. So sorry for your loss, prayers for the family. I met Donna at Zenith Electronics Corporation. She was more of an acquaintance of mine through mutual friend Carol Vannice of Zenith. Before her diagnosis, there were at least four wonderful occasions where Donna joined myself, Carol, Zenith friends Sue D'Eccliss and Karen Hepburn. We enjoyed lunch and fellowship at The Grove Fall...
Susan Crane
September 20, 2024 | Plainfield, IL | Coworker
She was one of our mother's closest and dearest friends.
She was always one of our favorite people as well.
Her joyful positivity, warm smile and the twinkle in her eyes encouraged adventurous thinking. We looked forward to spending time with her.
I'm guessing she and my mom will have a lot to catch up on... Sending you lots of love!
Kathy Duda
September 17, 2024 | Denver, CO | Friend
