Anita Katherine Janczak, nee Sokolowski, passed away peacefully in her home in Arlington Heights on January 1, 2025, at the age of 81.  Beloved wife of Peter Michael of 59 years; loving mother of Chandra (Tom) Kearney; adoring Nana of Ryan, Collin, Griffin and Abbie; dear sister of Anthony (Marilee) Sokolowski; sister-in-law of the late Ronald (the late Delores) Janczak. She was a proud Aunt of two Nieces and two Nephews.

Anita was born in Chicago on November 9,1943 to the late Walter and Louise Sokolowski. Rooted in strong Polish and Catholic traditions, she graduated from Notre Dame for Girls High School in Chicago Illinois. During her time in high school, she met Peter while standing up as a bridesmaid in her cousin Patricia's wedding, where Peter was a Groomsman. After high school Anita received her associate's degree from Mount St. Claire College in Clinton, Iowa and Bachelor of Arts in Education from Mundelein College in Chicago, Illinois. She went on to be a schoolteacher at St. Ferdinand School in Chicago and then at St. Norbert School in Northbrook. After having her only child, Chandra, Anita stayed at home, intermittently working at preschools and substituting at her daughter's grammar school and her parish St. James in Arlington Heights. Never one to be idle, Anta changed careers and began working for the Illinois Department of Unemployment Security rising to Head Adjudicator in Management.  She worked for IDES for 27 years before she retired to become a full-time Nana to her four grandchildren.

Anita gained the travel bug when as a child she took numerous car trips with her parents and brother, Tony.  They traveled all across the United States from Washington D.C. to Wyoming, always making a stop to her Aunt and Uncle's farm in Bismarck, North Dakota.  Anita continued her wanderlust for travel as an adult, traveling to various countries with her husband and many family members. She loved crafting and shopping, and more shopping. Annual Nordstrom Anniversary Sale shopping with her daughter could never be missed. Anita would be dressed to the nines every time she left her home, even when an ER visit was warranted, she would make sure she looked her best for the doctors. She was always the best dressed Nana at all the kids' events. But more than anything, Anita loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and their dogs, Barkley and Havi. There was nothing she wouldn't do for her family.

Anita was always pleasant even when sick. She never once felt sorry for herself and never once complained. She learned to pivot from her active lifestyle and picked up hobbies of reading books, baking, and puzzles. And when Anita wasn't doing these sedentary activities, she watched every cooking show on the Food Network and binge watched every movie on all streaming networks with Pete. She enjoyed every moment with her home caregivers whom she welcomed in and appreciated every day. Anita continued to live her life to the fullest even in her last days. She will be missed by family and countless friends, both old and new.

Visitation Thursday 4:00 to 8:00 pm at Skaja Terrace Funeral Home, 7812 N. Milwaukee Ave, Niles, IL.  Funeral services Friday 9:15 am to St. Paul of the Cross, 320 South Washington Ave., Park Ridge, for Mass at 10:00 am.  Internment St. Adalbert Cemetery in Niles. In lieu of flowers the family is requesting donations be made to the American Cancer Society.