Ilona Regina Garrett

Ilona Regina Garrett, 75, of Washington PA, formerly of Lombard, IL, passed away peacefully on Tuesday September 16, 2025. Born on September 29, 1949, in Osterwieck, East Germany, she is the daughter of the late Kurt Stamer of Germany and Aina (Kurtius) Stamer of Latvia. They escaped under machine gun fire to the West with just the clothes on their backs and a small beloved stuffed hedgehog named Mecki. Eventually Ilona immigrated to the United States with her parents and baby sister Yvette LaFrenere of Westchester, IL.
She is preceded in death by her husband James R. Garrett who she was married to for nearly twenty-five years. As well as a son, Dane R. Garrett, who passed away 29 years ago at the age of 10. In addition to her sister she is also survived by two children Erik Garrett (Pittsburgh), and Tatiana Lowe. Ilona is also survived by three grandchildren Lara, Konrad, and Theo; two nephews Aaron and Alex; and a niece Monique.
Ilona was a loving mother and wife. Ilona helped James follow his dream of running a martial arts studio, Phoenix Martial Arts Academy. This studio ran in Brookfield, IL for almost forty years. Many of the students were like adopted children. Some students might not know that Ilona had her own black belt from a French martial arts instructor who taught a combination of Savate and judo.
She loved animals, nature, and literature. When given a choice of a car or a horse after high school graduation she chose the horse. Ilona really loved Borzoi, which she bred and showed. She took in neighborhood kids and adopted animals. Her house was very much like a zoo with both quantity and variety of animals. Ilona also loved reading, culture, classical music, and travel; even thought there was often little money to do so.
Ilona loved to write poetry, and take photographs. She loved learning languages and taught German in Lyons Township High School adult continuing education for a number of years; as well as her own karate classes at St. Xavier University in Chicago. She was a published poetess and a self-published author. She published poetry with a feminist collective called We'Moon. She described herself in her bio as "like a phoenix." She had a lifelong love for education and learning exemplified by the fact that she surrounded herself with books her entire life.
Mom lived through a lot. Her life wasn't easy. There is a quote credited to one of her favorite authors, Goethe, which is appropriate to share: "Man soll den Kindern Wurzeln und Flügel geben." It means basically we should give our children roots and wings. She did both. Love you Mom.
In lieu of flowers the family is asking that you send a donation in the name of Ilona Garrett to Peaceable Primate Sanctuary. This nonprofit provides a sanctuary to retired primates to live out their lives in peace and safety. It is run by Scott Kubisch, a close family friend. https://peaceableprimatesanctuary.com/donation-opportunities/