Estelle Gress

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Estelle Gress (nee Luberda) age 83 of Olympia Fields, Illinois passed away on April 2, 2016.  Beloved wife of 62 years to Paul; Loving Mother to William (Denise) Gress and Joan (Greg) Stevens;  Cherished Busia to Tyler Gress, Kaylie Stevens and Kyle Stevens; Dear Aunt to many nieces and nephews.  Estelle began her career as a business teacher at Morton High School in Hammond, Indiana.  After a 16-year €œmaternity leave,€ she returned to teach at Rich Central, Rich East and Bloom Trail High Schools.  At Bloom Trail, she established and headed the Freshman Focus, JTPA, and I-PREP programs which dramatically increased graduation rates and ensured each student had a career plan after high school. She was a devoted Mother and Busia who would attend every game, recital, or performance to cheer on her kids and grandkids.  She continued her parent€™s Polish tradition of Christmas Eve (Wigilia) which has remained a Luberda family tradition for over 100 years.  She loved dogs (hers and her grand-dogs). They filled her life with joy and loving companionship.  Her outgoing, loving personality made everyone feel special.  Her laughter and great sense of humor will be missed.In lieu of flowers donations to Bloom Foundation – c/o Paul Nykaza or Berta Kennedy District 206 (708) 758-7000 or South Suburban Humane Society in Chicago Heights, Illinois.Visitation Friday, April 8th from 2:00PM to 8:00PM at Kerr-Parzygnot Funeral Home 540 Dixie Hwy. (at Joe Orr Road), Chicago Heights, IL.  Funeral leaving at 9:30AM on Saturday, April 9th going to Infant Jesus of Prague, Douglas Avenue, Flossmoor, Illinois for Mass of Resurrection 10AM.   Interment:  Assumption Catholic Cemetery.  Info: 708-754-0016.  www.kerrparzygnotfuneralhome.com  “