Barbara Crowell, nee Meskan, of Elmhurst, passed away recently. She was born in Chicago, Sept. 10, 1929, as the only child of William and Alberta Meskan. She was the loving mother of Kathleen Sichrovsky (Steve), Susan (Kathleen), David (Mary) Dan and Michael; proud grandmother of Alyssa Hope Sichrovsky.
At the age of 4, Barbara moved to Berwyn where many of her Czech relatives lived and then, in the late 1930’s, to Villa Park. Barb was very proud of her Bohemian heritage and until her final days, always enjoyed a kolache from Vesecky’s Bakery in Berwyn.
Barb was a proud graduate of York High School class of 1947. After graduation she and her friends traveled out west to visit the Rocky Mountains, the Tetons and many national parks. She went to work at Public Service in Maywood, where she met many lifelong friends who continued to get together monthly up until 2010. In 1954, she married and became a stay-at-home mom, raising her five children in Elmhurst.
Barb was an avid reader and an expert on European monarchs and their history. She traveled quite a bit after retiring from Carson Pirie Scott. Some of her favorite spots were the Tower of London, the Palace of Versailles, Prague and the Hermitage in St. Petersburg, Russia. She enjoyed almost everything on Masterpiece Theatre and PBS Mystery. When she could no longer travel overseas, she stayed closer to home and joined the Abbey Choraliers and attended daily mass at Visitation Church.
The family wishes to thank staff of Park Place Elmhurst and the caregivers from By Your Side and Harmony who provided Barbara with care and company when her family could not be there.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Cat Guardians, 932 E. St. Charles, Lombard, 60148.
Services were held Tuesday, April 19 at Visitation Catholic Church, Elmhurst. Interment Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Hillside. Arrangements by Elmhurst Community Funeral Home – The Ahlgrim Chapel. Info: (630) 834-3515 or www.ElmhurstFH.com
