Michelle Kowalski-Helle

Obituary's Biography:

Michelle Kowalski-Helle, age 57, a resident of Grayslake, passed away Friday, July 8, 2016. She was born March 5, 1959 in Southampton, PA. She was an architect and mother. Michelle is survived by her husband, Robert H. Helle whom she married on September 16, 1989; daughter, Emily; son, Andrew; brother, Nick; sisters, Celeste and Lisa. She was preceded in death by her mother, Helen; and father, Andrew. Michelle was born in Pennsylvania, the oldest of four children.  She graduated from the University of Notre Dame as an architect.  As a young girl she knew she would go there, despite the fact that it was not open to women.  She was very proud to be part of the fifth class of women admitted to Notre Dame. There she met the love of her life, her husband Bob. She worked as an architect in Chicago until Emily arrived, and the family relocated to Prairie Crossing in Grayslake shortly after Andrew came along. Everything Michelle did, she did beautifully and with passion; cooking, knitting, quilting, gardening, and designing. She was deeply committed to her family, a wonderful listener, a devoted sister, and a dear friend to many. A visitation will be held at Strang Funeral Chapel & Crematorium 410 E. Belvidere Rd. Grayslake, IL 60030 on Tuesday, July 12, 2016 from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Friends and family will meet at church on Wednesday, July 13, 2016 at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 6401 Gages Lake Road, Gurnee, IL 60031 for a 10:30 a.m. funeral mass. Interment will be at Cedar Grove Cemetery, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN at 1:00 p.m. eastern or 12pm noon central, Thursday, July 14, 2016. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Literature For All Of Us, 2010 Dewey Ave., Evanston, IL 60201 or www.literatureforallofus.org. For more information please call (847)223-8122 or log onto www.strangfuneral.org.