Eva Hermacinski
Eva Hermacinski
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Eva Hermacinski Obituary
Born in Lwow, Poland in 1929, Eva was ten years old when the German army invaded, and WWII began. Surviving the war, Eva and her younger sister escaped Poland to begin a new life with their father in Scotland and later England.
Smart, determined, and adventurous, Eva attended and graduated from Trinity College, Dublin with a degree in economics and political science. She began her working career in Madrid, Spain. Presented with the opportunity in 1955 to "see what America had to offer," Eva purchased a one-way ticket aboard the Queen Elizabeth departing Southampton, England bound for Ellis Island.
In New York City, Eva settled right in, made friends, and created a comfortable life for herself. An explorer at heart, stories of life in California led her to buy a plane ticket to Los Angeles where she landed a job at the L.A. Times. It was there that she met a co-worker by the name of Jim Hermacinski. A few dates and a trip together to Europe ended with the two marrying in 1958.
Eva and Jim had five children together and eventually moved the family to Park Ridge, IL. Eva relished her role as a mom. There in the morning to make sure her kids got off to school. There in the afternoon to welcome them home and help with the schoolwork. There in the evening to make sure the family was fed and cared for. She never asked for anything more. But life did.
When her father died in 1978, Eva went from running a family to running a 100-employee engineering firm in Halton, England. Quick to learn and eager to succeed, Eva kept Luneside Engineering, the company her father founded in 1949, thriving for close to 20 years.
In retirement, Eva and Jim lived in Rockford, IL, Tucson, AZ, and Fort Mill, SC, where Jim died in 2012. Eva later moved to Zionsville, IN in 2017. She is survived by: her five children, Leo Hermacinski of Basalt, CO, Ursula Hermacinski of Steamboat Springs, CO, Mary Jo Adams (and Vic Adams) of Charlotte, NC, Mark Hermacinski (and Cari Hermacinski) of Steamboat Springs, CO, and Jay Hermacinski (and Cara Hermacinski) of Zionsville, IN; her eleven grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
Those who knew her, loved her. Those who met her, found her fascinating and inspiring.
Memorial services will be planned for Zionsville IN, Rockford IL, Lancaster, England, and Krakow Poland.
In lieu of flowers or donations, say a prayer. And for those who can, give your mom a hug or a call today.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
John Shorrock
November 11, 2023
I served my apprenticeship and worked for both her Father the Colonel and Eva at Luneside in Halton for a number of years. It was a great place to work with the finest equipment available. I emigrated to the USA in 1980 but my wife and I did visit Luneside in 2018 and met Alison Cahn who gave us a tour. On our return home to Michigan I sent Eva a card thanking for everything, wonderful family. RIP
Barbara Zimmerman
April 28, 2023
I sang with Eva in the Our Lady of Grace mission church in Indian Land, SC. Eva was a clever, spirited, always smiling, wonderful woman! a favorite memory was when Eva went by the altar as cantor to sing the responsorial psalm. She wasn't happy with the way she started, so she turned to our choir director who was at the keyboard and said, "let's start over."
Eva started the Polish American Club at Saint Philip Neri Church which is ongoing today. Eva was a special woman in every way.
Beth Haller
March 12, 2023
Eva in her little smart car
Kathy Bozzo
March 10, 2023
Mary Jo and family, Just want to say how sorry I am to hear of your mother's passing. She was an integral part of our neighborhood and we enjoyed spending time with her especially at our monthly game nights. She also had a wonderful voice and contributed to the choir at Our Lady of Grace Church. I will pray for her. Kathy
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Tim Condon
March 10, 2023
Even if we only judge parents by their children then Eva was most certainly special. What a life! What a family! What a legacy set in motion.
Mike and Sue Long
March 7, 2023
To know Eva was to love her; and that day came in the late 50's when Uncle Jim brought his bride to Rockford to introduce her to the family. With great anticipation we waited at Grandma's house' and finally they pulled up out front. Eva was beautiful! Uncle Jim was a lucky guy! We went out on vacation to California the next year and stayed with them in Inglewood, having an adventure, and endearing them in our hearts forever. It was a treat each and every time to visit with the Hermacinski family and there were many wonderful times over the years. Leo, Ursie, Mark and Cari, Mary Jo and Vic, Jay and Cara; we loved Aunt Eva and Uncle Jim, always will. Love you guys too! What a rich life they had, and a great reward they're having now!
Margaret Hutson
March 7, 2023
Eva, as one of St Robert´s parishioners allowed us to have a garden party annually at the Mill to make funds. She was a very kind lady and made us all feel welcome at the Mill. RIP
Alison Cahn
March 7, 2023
Eva visited Halton Mill, the old Luneside Engineering factory, in 2018 to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the company she ran, which her father founded. I had the honour of interviewing her and she spoke movingly about her time at Luneside, and the love she and her father felt for the company. It was an extraordinarily brave thing she did to leave her home and cross the Atlantic to save the company when her father died. She knew nothing about engineering, but she was clever and committed and understood business, and did a brilliant job keeping the company going. She was also great company on the visit. She had us all laughing and in tears. One of my lasting memories is of Eva and her sister Halina sitting on top of a mechanical elephant - children's rides built by Luneside Engineering in its early days. Wonderful. Here's a link to a film we made with Eva, Halina and others about Luneside. Eva was the star. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITILGf1SGxA
Jorge Lalinde
March 6, 2023
Good buy dear Eva! You leave us with beautiful memories of your always as a happy, sincere and transparent person. I will always remember your polish style meat balls on our Sunday gatherings with Vic and Mary Jo.
Georgette LePage
March 5, 2023
So very sorry for your loss, Mary Jo. You always spoke so lovingly about your mom and now I have learned why from such a moving tribute written in her honor. My deepest sympathies to you and your family at this difficult time. Peace to all!
Nora Lalinde
March 5, 2023
I love when she invited us to dinner. It was always delicious and her stories when she left Poland.
Maria Dobben
March 5, 2023
I am so very sorry for your loss. I have so many wonderful memories of your dear mom. I will remember all of you in my prayers.
Lindsay Sugg
March 5, 2023
What a beautifully written and interesting tribute to this incredible woman. What a life and what love given and received by her. Sending so much love to your whole family, and especially to my dear friend, Mary Jo, who is undoubtedly the woman she is largely in part because of her amazing mother, Eva.
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