IRENA SOFIJA ŠARKIŪNAITĖ SKUODIENĖ

IRENA SOFIJA ŠARKIŪNAITĖ SKUODIENĖ

(October 4, 1930 - April 8, 2016)

A quadruple bypass survivor for four years (April 11, 2012), Irena Sofija Skuodienė (Šarkiūnaitė) passed on Friday, April 8, 2016 at 11:40 A.M. in the Little Company of Mary Hospital, in Evergreen Park, Illinois at the age of 85 of a heart attack after a very long torturous illness of insulin-dependent diabetes (since 1987). Her family extends deep gratitude to the first responders of the Chicago Fire Department, and the chaplains, medical professionals, and staff of the Little Company of Mary Hospital for providing tremendous support at this difficult time of loosing our mother, wife, and grandmother.

Irena was born to Sofija Barysaitė Šarkiūnienė and Juozas Šarkiūnas on October 4, 1930 in Kaunas, Lithuania. She graduated from the Vilnius University with the Master’s Degree in the Science of Geology. Before her marriage to Vytautas Skuodis in 1956, Irena worked as an editor of scientific publications in a publishing house in Vilnius, Lithuania, and later worked as a Senior Research Fellow at the State Institute of Geology in Vilnius, Lithuania until her retirement in 1985.

Since September 8,1987, Irena resided in Chicago, IL following there her American-born political dissident husband who was exiled from the Soviet Union during the "perestroika" for standing up and defending the causes of the Catholic Church.

Irena was talented, bright, intelligent scientist. During her career as a geologist, she did participate in some scientific conferences in Lithuania and abroad, published some articles in scientific publications.

As an American citizen, Irena  independently found a way to get trained and worked as an Election Judge in our Ward and Precinct. My mother took her duty to vote seriously, and voted every year until her eyesight faded completely. Alas, her last early vote in the Fall of 2012 was never counted. (I know, because as an election judge myself  I saw the early voter's lists on the day of election.)

Irena valued her health, and did everything possible to curb the complications of diabetes.  She immediately recognized the value of SHAKLEE, signed up as a distributor, and was very supportive of her daughter's efforts to spread the word about it.

Irena loved singing, and for a few years had participated in the Knights of Lithuania, and “Dainava” singing groups in Chicago, Illinois.

Irena was passionate reader, gardener, and crafter. Her meticulous sewing, knitting, crocheting, compositions with dried flowers, and flower arrangements impressed her friends and family. She truly enjoyed flower arrangement classes that were provided via the Chicago Park District in Marquette Park greenhouse long time ago.

Even when my mom's eyesight was already fading (since 2009), during our walks in the park (to save her legs, I was convinced, which I failed to do in the end anyway...) with our favorite pets first Kelly, then Kruopa (in the picture), and finally Roxie (all adopted off of the street), mom always was pointing to me the beauty of nature, and I would rush over with my photo camera.

During her last visit to the park a couple years ago,  she could only be a passenger in a car  when right before vicious storm we had found two discarded little kittens by the tall tree. She could not stop smiling first embracing them when we drove home, and later reminiscing their soft fur and hungry little mouths sucking on her finger, until our neighbor Ruta welcomed the orphans in to her home. Mom never saw the kittens, but always remembered feeling that warm little life that was so important and comforting to her in her blindness.

First and foremost, Irena loved her family, and always said that she was happiest when all family was gathered together, which, alas, was impossible for the most of her life.

Irena's last wish was to be buried in the same burial site where her mother Sofija is resting in peace in Vilnius, her beloved Lithuania.

Irena is survived by her husband Vytautas Skuodis (Vilnius, Lithuania), daughters Giedrė Skuodytė Baltrūnienė (Spain) and Daiva Skuodytė (Chicago, Illinois), grandchildren Eglė Baltrūnaitė and Saulius Baltrūnas (both in Vilnius, Lithuania).

Irena left many grieving friends and acquaintances on both sides of the "Pond."

With assistance of the Neptune Society, Irena’s ashes will be laid to rest and a family memorial service will be held in Vilnius, Lithuania.

In the Chicago area, Irena's life will be honored in May during the communal memorial event at the Little Company of Mary Hospital in Evergreen Park.

Further details about the services and burial arrangements will be provided upon availability.

Please be patient. It will take time to ship remains overseas with proper documentation.
Formal notice of Irena's death will appear in the Chicago Tribune this coming Tuesday, April 12, 20016, and we appreciate your memories, photos, and the words of compassion that you will be able to post online starting on that day.
Here is the link: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/chicagotribune/obituary.aspx?n=irena-skuodiene&pid=179589478

Thank you very much for all expressions of sympathy,  requests for Memorial Remembrance, Holly Sacrifice of the Mass,  and condolences on behalf of remaining family members. Your heartfelt compassion means the world to us at this difficult time.

In memory of my mother Irena Skuodiene, please honor First Responders everywhere, and please support the Sisters of the Little Company of Mary Hospital in Evergreen Park, IL.

Thank you,

Daiva Skuodyte

Info updates for the family and friends overseas:

• April 7, 2016, late evening mom passed out in my arms. She was fully conscious and of clear mind before that but feeling very poorly. Paramedics jump-started her heart and took her to the hospital.
• April 8, 2016, mom's heart had stopped. Neptune Society took her away from the hospital.
• April 12, 2016, Obituary published in the Chicago Tribune
• April 14, 2016: mom is wearing black silk dress (her wish to wear black), rosary, amber necklace, scapular, black and gold scarf. There is also a bee's wax candle with her.
• April 14, 2016. My dear friend at the Oak Lawn Garden Club Patricia (Stube) Matkovich has arranged for the late Irena Skuodiene and her surviving family to be included in the St. Patrick Father's Masses and Prayers for a year. We sincerely thank Patricia and Fr. Michael Moore, Director.
• April 15, 2016, Forms delivered to the NS office, and permits signed.  
• Today, April 15, is my mom's late father Juozas Sarkiunas' birthday (1901- June 10, 1941). Also, today, April 15, 2016, 9:00 A.M. Central Time my mom's remains turned into ashes. It is very quiet in my home.    I appreciate very much all my friend's condolences and prayers for my mom's soul.
• Irena's last wish also had included Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's Requiem, and Naujalio Svajone playing softly in the background, if a memorial will be held in the funeral palace in Vilnius before the burial. The CDs will be shipped next week.
• I am deeply grateful on behalf of our surviving family members to the Oak Lawn Camera Club, Oak Lawn Garden Club, Ridge Art Association, and the Beverly Hills Embroiderers' Guild members for tremendous outpouring of sympathy and compassion at this difficult time.
• I will forever be grateful to all my personal friends for understanding and support and expression of sympathy to our remaining family members.  Every single card and memento makes me teary-eyed, especially when I do understand so well that, among my friends, I am in a "freshmen class" of  people who have lost their mother.
• April 19, 1901 my mom's mother Sofija's birthday. My Mom has always told me, that she still missed her mother who passed on July 29, 1991.

My Mom's Parents

• April 20, I am going to the Neptune Society to pick up my mother's ashes and documents.
• April  21-22, translating DC, CC, and BP documents into Lithuanian, contacting various offices.
• April 22, received Registrar's signature and a raised stamp on the BP at the EP Office.
• April 22, At the prayerful request of our dear friend Julie Zakarka, In Loving Memory of Irena Skuodiene The Priests of the Sacred Heart at Sacred Heart Monastery in Hales Corners, Wisconsin will include a Memorial Remembrance  in their daily Masses and Prayers as long as the Grace of God is needed.
  Spiritual Director L. Dominic. 
  Thank you very much, dear Julie.
• April 25, going to the Secretary of State office for an apostille on the DC.
• April 26, going to gather the necessary Notary Public stamps and signatures. 
• April 28, >>>
• April 29, Received a message: Vytautas Skuodis has arranged for the Holly Sacrifice of the Mass to be offered for the repose of the soul of Irena Skuodiene Sunday, May 8, 2016, 10:00 A.M. at the  Vilniaus Švč. Mergelės Marijos Ėmimo į dangų bažnyčia, also know as Pranciškonų bažnyčia, Vilnius, LITHUANIA Trakų g. 9.
• April 29, I've sent the final documents to Lithuania. My father Vytautas Skuodis is arranging the funeral in Vilnius, Lithuania.
• April 30, Mr. and Mrs. R. Gerald have requested that through the intercession of Saint Francis of Assisi and Saint Anthony of Padua and through the daily Masses and prayers of Franciscan friars throughout the world Irena Skuodiene's soul would be blessed by the Lord and accepted into His merciful loving arms. Thank you very much, dear Jean and Ray.
• May 1, 2016. She was a proud citizen of the U.S.A. since 1990,  but Mom is back in Lithuania now, her birth land. Vytautas Skuodis is arranging the funeral.
• May 2, 2016 With the sympathy of Terese Stroliene, The Holly Sacrifice of the Mass will be offered for the repose of the soul of Irena Skuodiene by Rev. Kunigas Audrius Arštikaitis, The Pontifical Lithuanian College of St. Casimir, Rome, Italy. We are deeply grateful to you, Terese.

• Vytautas Skuodis has arranged for the Holly Sacrifice of the Mass to be offered for the repose of the soul of Irena Skuodiene Sunday, May 8, 2016, 10:00 A.M. at the  Vilniaus Švč. Mergelės Marijos Ėmimo į dangų bažnyčia, also know as Pranciškonų bažnyčia, Vilnius, LITHUANIA Trakų g. 9.

• Prieš laidotuves, mamos palaikai bus pašarvoti Vilniaus Laidojimo Rūmuose "Ritualas." IRENOS SOFIJOS ŠARKIŪNAITĖS SKUODIENĖS palaikų pagerbimas 2016 m. gegužės 14 d. nuo 10 val. iki 13 val. 10-oje salėje. Po atsisveikinimo laidotuvės Rokantiškų kapinėse.

• Before Christian burial, my mom's remains will lay in state in Vilnius Funeral Home "Ritualas"  May 14, 2016, 10:00 A.M. - 1:00 P.M. in room 10. Funeral immediately after the farewell at the Rokantiskes cemetery in Vilnius, Lithuania.

•  May 8, 2016 Maria and Ed Deksnis have enrolled Irena Skuodiene in the League of Saint Anthony for one full year with a remembrance in the Masses and in the daily prayers offered by the seminarians and Capuchin friars at Saint Lawrence Seminary. Our sincere THANK YOU to Maria and Ed.
• May 10, 2016 With the Sympathy of Mr. and Mrs. Louis and Bernadine Rogers Fathers of Our Lady of Mercy in their Monastery in Rome will pray for Irena Skuodiene's Soul for the next twelve months.
• May 13, 2016 At the Request of Stella Muir, Irena Sarkiunaite Skuodiene will be remembered in the Mass on June 4, 2016 @ 4:00 P.M. at St. Barnabas Church, 10134 S. Longwood Dr., Chicago, IL 60643.
  
• Before Christian burial, my mom's remains will lay in state in Vilnius Funeral Home "Ritualas"  May 14, 2016, 10:00 A.M. -1:00 P.M. in room 10. Funeral immediately after at the Rokantiskes cemetery in Vilnius, Lithuania. 
• I want to express our family's deep gratitude to everyone who was there for us praying for my mom's soul at the Sunday Mass Sunday, May 8, 2016. Our family's long time friend Estelle J. Rogers has arranged for prayers to be offered for the repose of the soul of Irena Skuodiene during the Holly Sacrifice of the Mass at the St. Pius X Church in Stickney, IL. Our sincere THANK YOU to Vaicekauskas' family - Lorraine, Povilas, Aurelija, Laura  and the children - for the generous and heartfelt expression of sympathy.
• Prieš laidotuves, mamos palaikai bus pašarvoti Vilniaus Laidojimo Rūmuose "Ritualas." IRENOS SOFIJOS ŠARKIŪNAITĖS SKUODIENĖS palaikų pagerbimas 2016 m. gegužės 14 d. nuo 10 val. iki 13 val. 10-oje salėje. Po atsisveikinimo laidotuvės Rokantiškų kapinėse. 
• May 15, Name Day of those with the name SOFIJA..

On behalf of all remaining family members, our heartfelt gratitude to all and everyone of you who with your deeds and prayers have helped us in this sorrowful journey of fulfilling my mom's last wishes.

This Easter season, this Mothers Day,

Mom is really free at peace at last.

Mūsų šeimos nuoširdžiausia padėka visiems kurie savo maldomis ir darbais padėjo išpildyti mamos paskutinę valią grižti ļ Lietuvą.

Šias Šv. Velykas, šią Motinos Dieną,

mama pagaliau iš tiesų ilsisi ramybėje.

†

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