Bernadette Blossom "Bernie" Greski

Bernadette (Bernie) Greski
On Monday, July 11, 2022, Bernadette (Bernie) Greski, devoted mother and friend of Cherise Greski and loving mother-in-law of Alan Lesniewicz (deceased) and then Charles Latuvnik, made her transition to Spirit at the age of 78 surrounded by her loved ones.
Bernie was born on November 2, 1943 in Chicago, IL to Joseph and Victoria Scalise. She worked in the construction field for almost 60 years for the State of Illinois and the University of Illinois at Chicago. She was a tenacious construction manager. This was evident, when her maiden airplane flight to a job site included the loss of a propeller, drop in oil and an emergency landing. Upon getting off the plane, her first words were "where's the job site?"
Bernie was an adventurer, musician, sports fan, collector, shopper, slot machine enthusiast and gardener.
As an adventurer, she drove a NASCAR, flew in a hot air balloon and swam in the ocean with dolphins. When she decided to try something – she prepared! She even took pole dancing lessons so she could raise her legs high enough to get through the window!
She loved traveling by car with her 'baby girl' – Cherise, her son-in laws and her ever present traveling companion, Blossom. Never apart, Blossom had her own special shopping bag. A backseat driver, she'd direct traffic – "follow the blue skies" she'd say – which would result in getting into a massive snowstorm, a wildfire, or a downpour. Never a quiet moment in mom travel land.
As a sports fan, she was avid – her allegiance switching from season to season, depending on if a Chicago team was winning. If they weren't, she had no patience. Her true sports love, though, was the UIC Flames and Sparky, the dragon mascot. For the Flames, she was a full athletic supporter.
Her shopping and collecting were legendary – Shopping bags and envelopes, Hello Kitty, anything British, Teddy Bears, Catholic religious icons and anything made by her daughter. The envelopes and shopping bags were such an obsession, that her family teased her that the only inheritance she'd leave is bags of shopping bags. (Which is quite true!)
She gave as well as she shopped. Her giving was not limited to organizations, but she gave directly to individuals as well. Often, she would buy groceries, toys for children, surprise meals for a table at a restaurant or donate to the local food pantry.
She loved music. She played the piano, wrote music and loved to perform at public events. Her tastes were eclectic – ranging from classical and opera to gospel and hard rock. Her last musical 'act' was to try out her new keyboard at 2am in drum setting mode and wake everyone up!
In her retirement years, she loved nothing more than driving through cemeteries, letterboxing, playing slots and gardening. Riding in the car through the backwoods on her way to her favorite casino, finding cemeteries in search of a letterbox treasure or winning a jackpot resulted in a very good day.
Her love of gardening would find her in her backyard playing with her flower beds, watching all her solar lights light up and enjoying the birds and butterflies around her. She'd regularly ask Chuck to get her a few stargazer lilies because she loved their scent.
Not a foodie – she was all about the sugar. Her favorite food group was ICE CREAM – Rainbow cones were her favorite. Often, she would sit on her front porch with her friend, Daria Chambers, and enjoy an ice cream cone (or two) while watching the sun set.
And, there is so much more you are invited to share memories with family at her Celebration of Life Ceremony which will be held on Sunday, August 7th 2022 at Hursen Funeral Home, 4001 Roosevelt Road, Westchester IL at 1-2:30 pm. Snacks and an ice cream social will follow at the funeral home. In place of flowers, condolences, mass cards or donations may be sent to Cherise Greski, 917 Newcastle, Westchester IL 60154.