Barbara Lynne Cygan

On September 6, 2022, at the age of 82, Barbara passed away peacefully. She was able to spend her final weeks surrounded by family and her many friends.

Barbara was known for her warm and outgoing personality and no matter where she traveled to around the world, she would always run into someone she knew from her wide circle of friends or had the pleasure of making new friends.

The most special person in her life was her husband, her friend and her caregiver, Paul. They met in 7th grade when Paul's family moved in across the street from Barbara's. The children of the neighborhood all hung out together and in high school Barbara & Paul even doubled dated with other people to go to dances. It was in college that Paul finally asked Barbara for a date to a fraternity picnic and the rest is history.

Barbara went to Notre Dame High School for Girls and graduated from Mundelein College in 1961 with a degree in teaching. She was the first in her family to go to college.

Barbara & Paul married in November 1961 in Chicago and left a few months later for Fort Bragg, North Carolina for Paul's military service after being commissioned as an army officer. Ten months later, Cathy was born, and Debbie came 22 months later. After Paul completed his service, they moved back to Chicago and then built a home in Arlington Heights. Several years later Robert joined the family.

After the kids all started school, Barbara resumed teaching. First as a substitute teacher in Arlington Heights District 25 and then as an aide at Northwest Suburban Special Education Organization (NSSEO) for special education children.

In 1985, Paul was asked to take an overseas assignment with International Harvester/Navistar in Paris, France and that is when their travel adventures began. For the year and a half that they lived in Paris, they traveled all throughout Western Europe and Barbara stayed busy taking cooking classes and being involved with the American Women's Club.

Shortly after arriving back from Paris, Barbara & Paul bought a lake house on Blue Springs Lake, WI just north of Lake Geneva. They spent many weekends throughout the year there with family and friends. But that didn't stop Barbara from insisting they take one big vacation a year; often taking cruises to see other parts of the world.

Cathy married Kevin and soon came two sons, Mark & Eric. One of "Ma C's" most favorite memories was taking the boys on the train downtown to enjoy the various stores and museums.

Robert married Jennifer and had two daughters, Jessica & Catelyn. She was thrilled to be able to buy all the girly dresses and the American Girl dolls. She continued the trips downtown with the girls to go to the American Girl store for lunch and have the doll's hair done at the "beauty salon".

Both enjoyed watching Robert's and all the grandchildren's sporting events and recitals throughout the years.

Paul had two more short-term overseas assignments with International Harvester/Navistar in Mexico and Brazil. Barbara was able to join him, and they traveled throughout the regions.

After Paul's retirement, they decided to leave Arlington Heights and move to Inverness to a townhouse community where they enjoyed treasures from their trips.

Barbara kept herself active with the St. James Women's Club, the St. James prayer groups, two book groups, three different card and game groups and she never missed a District 25 retiree luncheon. She enjoyed cooking and liked to try new recipes and have friends over for dinner. She could never sit still; she was always on the move.

Barbara loved decorating for all the holidays, especially Christmas. She could never have enough ornaments and hated to part with any decorations, especially if they were made by one of her children or grandchildren. They are all still in the many boxes and bins stored in the basement. She also enjoyed collecting frog lawn ornaments that were scattered around the yard every summer and had a closet with outfits to decorate her goose statute for every holiday and season.

Barbara will be missed by her husband, Paul, and her children Cathy (Kevin) Hamilton, Debbie Cygan, and Robert (Jennifer) Cygan; grandchildren Mark (Stephanie) Hamilton, Eric Hamilton, Jessica Cygan and Catelyn Cygan and many, many friends that brought her so much joy.

Visitation will be held Sunday, September 11th from 3 pm to 6 pm at Glueckert Funeral Home Ltd, 1520 North Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights, IL 60004. Prayers 9:00 am, Monday, September 12th from Glueckert Funeral Home, Ltd., proceeding to St. James Catholic Church, 831 North Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights, IL 60004 for Funeral Mass at 10 am. Entombment will be at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Cemetery, 1185 West Algonquin Road, Palatine, IL 60067.

In lieu of flowers, Barbara would like memorials to be made to St. James Catholic Church.

Barbara's wish is that when you look up into the sky, give her a wave; she will be watching you all from above.