Florence "Lolly" P. Jachimiec

Florence P Jachimiec, known as Lolly, was a loving mother and a friend to many. Lolly was a larger-than-life personality with an even bigger heart, and she leaves behind a legacy of laughter, love and a strong connection to her faith. She could light up a room and make everyone smile and laugh.

Florence was born December 2nd 1923 as the second child to her loving parents Henry Firtik and Agnes Firtik and her big sister, Henrietta Firtik. She told many stories of life with her older sister Henrietta, and younger siblings Eugene (‘Buddy’), Virginia and Joan. Anyone who has heard any of ‘Florence’s Famous Fables’ might remember light-hearted stories from the Great Depression waiting in line for shoes that she shared with her brother and losing all her hair in elementary school (‘all the boys wanted to see her bald head and laugh’). Then the stories of her teen years of being a candy striper at a hospital unit and mixing up all the false teeth on the floor (she never went back) or dressing up in her brother’s military uniform and pretended to be a potential date for a girlfriend. Lolly attended Farragut High School then transferred and graduated St. Mary’s Catholic High School. After high school she worked an office job at Western Electric in Chicago. Post WWII, she enjoyed the latest styles and going to dances. She met ‘Johnny’ but when he asked her out on a date one weekend, she was already going with another admirer, so told Johnny she was busy. Coincidentally, Lolly and Johnny ended up at the same dance hall each with other dates. Once Johnny asked her to dance, that was it, she was smitten. She married her “Johnny’, John L Jachimiec, on May 21, 1949.

Lolly and Johnny began their life together in Chicago, moving to Rochester NY, and back to Chicago raising 6 sons and 2 daughters and settling in the Chicago suburbs. Lolly packed countless lunchbags for the kid’s school days, helped with the art projects, and stood proudly at many graduations. She was active in the Palos Women’s Club, and fondly spoke of meeting Caesar Romero at one of the events. She didn’t mind loud Beatles music in the house and could often be heard singing Rolling Stones “Satisfaction” in the kitchen. Sundays was church, followed by Mom’s Sunday dinner, then later that evening, Johnny’s home-made pizza. She loved classic movies and encouraged the kids to stay up late to watch monster movies with her. Babies became her dance partners in the house as she sang to them songs from Broadway musicals.

Summers were enjoyed in Northern Wisconsin on the lake. Lolly tirelessly fried pan fish the kids caught served with Mac N Cheese or an occasional potato pancake. She was a grandma that would dive off the pier getting her hairdo wet, and time on the inner tubes with Mom/Grandma/Aunt Lolly is a cherished memory for all lucky enough to get their turn. She gave hot, tired swimmers cold watermelon slices, pitchers of Kool-Aid, and, at nighttime campfires, she liked her marshmallows burned (“but not too much!”) with a side of scary stories. She would keep the kids busy with Bunko and berry picking on cooler days. Caring for her children, nieces, nephews, and grandchildren at the lake was her joy, even if it meant lots of wet towels and sandy floors.

Lolly enjoyed the company of all who visited her. She loved to sit at the table and have a cup of tea and slice of coffeecake with her neighbors at the lake and in her suburban Chicago home. All who came to visit would be sure to hear a story and have a laugh. As she was homebound the past few years, her family was thankful for the friendly visits by friends, nieces, nephews, extended family, and grandchildren.

Lolly passed on November 9, 2021 just a few weeks shy of her 98th birthday. Her dear older sister, Henrietta, passed just days before her. She was preceded in death by her husband of 40 years John Lawrence Jachimiec. Lolly was proud of all her children - Susan (Gordon), Jay (Eileen), Larry (Mary), Gary, Steven (Caryn) , Jeff (Suzie) , Tina (Rob, dec.) and David. She enjoyed time with her grandchildren – Kit (Jessica), Jonathan (Jen), Justin, Douglas, Dawn (Bryan), Eric, Kristen, Jamie (dec.), Savannah, Bobby, Cici and Nathan, as well as , great grandchildren, Kaylie, Dominic, Iyla, Alder, Liam, Audrey, Evelyn, Scarlett and Logan (dec.)

A visitation for Florence "Lolly" will be held Thursday, November 18, 2021 from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM at Orland Funeral Home, 9900 West 143rd Street, Orland Park, Illinois 60462. Chapel prayers, Thursday 10:30 AM at the Funeral Home proceeding to St. Michael Catholic Church, 14327 Highland Ave, Orland Park for an 11:00 AM Mass. Interment to follow at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery, Justice, IL.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.orlandfuneralhome.com for the Jachimiec family.