Doris Murawska

Doris J. Murawska nee Duller was called to Jesus on January 30, 2026, at the age of 96. 
Born December 11,1929, in Melrose Park, Illinois, to her parents Alfred Duller and Laura A.F. Duller nee Beck.
Beloved wife of the late Arthur G.W. Murawska for 75 years of marriage.
Cherished mother of late Gregory A. Murawska, Dennis G. Murawska, and Kathy D. (Matthew)Potocki nee Murawska.
Adored grandmother of Tad B. Murawska, Brett J. Potocki, and Krista L. (Thomas) Lester nee Potocki.
Treasured great-grandmother of Kora E. Lester.
Loving sister of the late Russell (late Elsie) Duller, late Jeanne (late Edwin) Eyre nee Duller, late Shirley (late John) Blanford nee Duller, and late Betty (late Jack) Eyre nee Duller.
Caring step- sister of siblings gone before her, Arnie, Bobbie, Gladys, Margaret, Earl, and Harold.
Precious aunt (Auntie DoDo) to many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Daughter-in-law of the late Arthur L. Murawska and late Louise B. Murawska nee Gongoll of River Grove, Illinois.
Sister-In-law to late William Murawska and late James (Gloria) Murawska.

A CELEBRATION OF LIFE IN HONOR OF DORIS JUNE MURAWSKA WILL BE HELD ON SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2026, at THE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH OF THE APOSTLES ~ 10427 Fullerton Avenue Melrose Park, Illinois, 60164; 
Visitation 10:30, Funeral service at 11:00.

INTERMENT AT ELMWOOD CEMETERY & MAUSOLEUM ~ 2905 Thatcher Avenue River Grove, Illinois, 60171.

A gathering and luncheon following at; THE GREAT ESCAPE ~ 9540 W. Irving Park Road, Schiller Park, Illinois, 60176.

“MY MOM AND HER SIMPLE DREAM”

by Kathy Potocki

I will always remember my mom in fleeting moments of her giving me a new outfit for school that she sewed, fussing with my hair so it lay just right, smiling at my latest creation of art or just telling ‘girl stories’ before I fell asleep at night. No matter what I did or was; she was always and forever proud of me.

With all her story telling, I learned a lot about her life. She never wanted much in life. She was content to have very little. She only wanted her simple dream of a good and faithful husband, a little house, and loving happy family.

I listened to many stories of her life and times. Stories that will fade and disappear if not told. So, I will begin at her beginning. In the 1920’s my mom’s mother Laura lost her first husband and true love to a heart attack. Widowed and alone with children at that time was impossible. She earned a meager wage as a housekeeper for Mr. Alfred Duller. He was without wife and also had children. Call it a marriage of convenience, or the inevitable… they became married and set the stage for yours, mine, and ours family. In 1929, my mom was born as their fourth child together.

With so many children, they all became invisible. Too many to buy clothing for, too many to own toys, too many to feed, and unfortunately too many to ever once say,” I love you,” to. The children learned quickly to rely on each other for companionship, borrowing what shoes and clothing they shared, and making adult decisions with a child’s mind.

Mom marveled at her sibling’s diverse personalities. Laughing delightfully, she recalled big sister Jeanne attending a local carnival and running away with the “fire-eater.” Big brother Russ and her father had to head for the state border and hunt them down to bring her home! Then there was her closest sister Shirley who was slightly favored in the family because of her outgoing manners, always needing to be in the “limelight.” Always grabbing everyone’s attention. The baby of the family was Betty, the spunkiest little troublemaker ever. If there was no trouble, she would devise a way to cause some just to get attention. Russ was the family watchdog with quite a lot on his plate with all these squeaky little girls.

My mom described herself as the shy wall flower of the family. She was quiet and did nothing to ever call attention to herself. Hiding behind her boisterous sisters was just fine by her. One day while attending high school a suitor was appearing at the home. He had to be there to try for a date with Shirley she thought. Much to her surprise, he stated he was not there for Shirley, but for Doris. The young man was Art Murawska, a well-known track star and football player. It turned out that Art was a quiet, considerate, religious, rugged, outdoorsy, and handsome guy that put my mom into a tailspin. After just a short time of dating, they fell in love and aimed for their future together. She knew she had won his heart as he would try to impress her with his track skills and run along with her bus on her way home from school.

The two were married shortly after high school. The honeymoon was a fishing trip to Canada bringing her brother Russ and his wife Elsie with like a double date! It was not the most romantic planning, but just fine with them. Even less romantic was their living arrangement when they returned. They were to live at his parent’s home in a multifamily household. They got the attic! My mom said they had to burrow into an old feather tick mattress and quilt with nails protruding from the roofing above that would drip as the ice on the nails melted. Their devoted love was enough to keep them warm.

They were so excited to learn the joyous news that they were expecting a child. This was the most wondrous love she ever felt. Gregory was born! He was surely the most beautiful baby they could imagine. Their hearts were fused to his every movement or sound. Nothing else in the world mattered other than Greg’s big blue eyes. He was the happiest baby filling the room with laughter.

It was almost Christmas. This was nearing Greg ‘s first birthday too. So much anticipation filled her heart as she wrapped his gifts. He would be so happy.

One day, my father came home from work quite proud because he was able to find Greg’s favorite baby custard food in a jar at a tiny roadside store. My mother had not been able to find it in the store she usually shopped. Greg ate his food. He became almost instantly ill. They brought him to their physician. They were told to go home and see how he was doing by morning,

The crying would not cease. Nothing would soothe him. Mom dimmed the lights and held him walking all through the night to help console him. She unwrapped a musical toy that was meant for Christmas hoping it might make him smile for a moment. He was becoming more quiet. The morning light began to creep into the room. As she looked down at his tiny hands, she could see his fingernails were turning blue. He was rushed to the hospital. There they were informed that several babies had already died from the food that was supposed to be removed off all store shelves. He had food poisoning from Salmonella. The amount in his tiny body was enough to kill a grown adult. Greg passed away looking up at my dad saying, “DaDa,” and he was gone. Their most wondrous love was gone.

Life moved on with age as its footprint. Whether you want to go or not it keeps moving forward. My parents love for each other allowed them to continue. Yet the despair never left her side.

My dad was now an accomplished brick mason. He built a lovely brick home for my mom. He believed that it would make my mom know they would have their dream together of a happy family. Her quest for her simple dream was still her sole ambition. Flower gardening and sewing helped occupy time. Faith in the Lord allowed her strength. A strong endeavor to be the perfect wife with a clean home and fresh baked goods to please her ambitious young husband gave her something to do as she waited.

Maybe it was time. She was pregnant again with a second son, Dennis. Three more years brought her third child, a little girl this time. This child was me, Kathy Doreen. We were raised undoubtedly with more attention than any child could possibly have. Every moment we could be together as family we were. Every weekend was a new adventure planned to enrich our lives. Never did my parents take time solely for themselves. It was all excursions to the zoo, museums, China town, fairs, and amusement parks. We spent hours learning about nature, riding horses, training dogs, hunting, fishing, or hiking in forests, mountains, or deserts. Involvement in Sunday school, Indian guides, Camp Fire Girls, and Awana filled many years. Encouragement in attending school functions, libraries, playing an instrument, private art lessons, and much more. I loved my time well spent at home just talking by the fireplace in the evening or helping around the house. We were together as a family. That was all that mattered to both my parents.

Again, the years passed. My dad built a new large brick home in River Grove. The property was gifted by my grandfather. Grandpa owned acreage which included the original Murawska homestead where my father was born. This was to be their forever home to raise their family close to family.

I always made sure to stay close to my parents to fulfill that simple dream they both deserved. Mom feared that moving any distance creates distance in the relationship. I made sure my children were close to them. Tad, Brett, and Krista became my parents next generation to repeat the same concentration and focus on as they did with their own children. Brett and Krista grew up having my parents visit at least once per week to spend time together. It was a joyous blessing.

Both my parents lived their simple dream into their 90’s. My dad passed at 94 just two years before my mom. I believe my mom lived a bit longer purely to meet and love her great granddaughter, Kora. Mom and Kora had a special love for each other. At 18 months old, Kora would cling to her “G. G.” (great grandma) and laugh hysterically with her making silly faces together. She has never laughed so hard with anyone else.

Mom turned 96 and knew her end of time was nearing. She was tired and missed my father. She felt lonely at this age, spending most time reading or working crossword puzzles. The television she bought was too difficult for her to work, using a walker made even going to dinner a chore. She told me she did not want to be here any longer. She said did not want to leave Kora but knew she would be fine.

Only weeks later we found her heart was giving out. Rushing her to the hospital, she survived two more days. I told her to go be with Dad and baby Greg wrapped in Jesus’ arms. That day she left into heaven. Her simple dream of family love is now eternal.