Anna Diakow

Anna Gabriela Diakow of Chicago and Warsaw, Poland passed away suddenly on March 2, 2026 after falling ill while traveling on the southeast coast near Beaufort, South Carolina. Anna was born June 4, 1956 in Zywiec Poland to Irena and Eustachy Diakow and raised in Warsaw, Poland and Spain. After completing her graduate studies in Europe, Anna worked in Warsaw for the British Embassy and LOT Polish Airlines before coming to Chicago. Anna completed a Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Chicago Department of Romance Languages and Literature in 2001 and began her teaching career at Northwestern University in Evanston, IL, where she taught Spanish and retired in 2024 as an Assistant Professor of Instruction.

Anna had many interests and traveled extensively through the United States, Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Europe. Anna's quest for travel started early when she and a friend hitchhiked from communist Poland through multiple countries to do summer work in France and Sweden. Anna loved conversing, reading, and listening to media in Polish, Spanish, and English daily. She regularly communicated with friends and family in Poland, Spain, and the US. Anna loved animals and contributed to local shelters where she adopted multiple pets. She loved fashion and received many compliments from students and colleagues on her creative wardrobe. Anna was an active hiker, cross country skier, and gardener. She is survived by her husband Andrew Zagorski, their cats Max and Lulu, her niece Ahnjee Lowden, sister in law Sally Lowden, brother in law Bill Lowden, brother in law Tom Zagorski, along with family members in the United States and Europe.

Visitation for Anna will be Sunday March 8 from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM with a funeral service at 5:00 PM at the Smith-Corcoran Funeral Home 6150 N. Cicero Ave., Chicago IL 60646. For info, 773-736-3833.