Clara "Claire" Krol (nee Kania), a longtime resident of the Belmont-Cragin area (St. Ladislaus Parish) and 20-year resident of Niles, was born into eternal life at 9:01 PM on Wednesday, June 10th at Resurrection Hospital at the age of 101. She was the daughter of the late Sophia Kania (née Solowski) and Joseph L. Kania, KSG (founder of the Polish Museum of America and past PRCUA president), and sister of Sonia (the late Larry) Clem, the late Jo Mary (Edward) Piegzik, Casimir (Ann), Raymond, Mary Ann (Joseph) Gierzynski, and Elizabeth (Walter) Krol. Claire was the wife of the late Joseph S. Krol and mother of Angela (Larry Stone), the late Joseph A., and John (Jenn Klein), and grandmother of Thomas and Claire Stone.

Claire was born in Detroit, MI, but spent most of her life on Chicago's northwest side. She enjoyed her two years at Good Counsel H.S., where she made many lifelong friends and was a member of the Mother of Good Counsel Ladies' Auxiliary Felician Sisters. Claire was very active at St. Ladislaus Church, where she was a member of the Women's Confraternity of the Holy Rosary and the Third Order of St. Francis Rosary Sodality. She often spoke about the fun times she had with her fellow members of the St. Ladislaus Women's Club. Bringing family together for decades was her greatest joy, and every Christmas she would prepare Polish mushroom soup and 200+ pierogi along with a variety of other dishes. She was known for her pierogi and apple pie. Claire enjoyed classical music and opera; Chopin, Carmen, and La Traviata were among her favorites. She also loved crafting handmade decorations and art projects, and even in her 80s and 90s, she made over two dozen paint-by-number paintings.

Clara Krol was perhaps our family's fiercest prayer warrior in life and will now be our dearest intercessor. You will always be warm now in the embrace of Jesus and the light of everlasting love and happiness. We love you, Mom.

Visitation will be held at Skaja Terrace Funeral Home on Friday from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM. Funeral Saturday 10:45 AM to St. Juliana Church for 11:30 AM Mass. Interment Maryhill Cemetery. Funeral Info 847-966-7302 or www.skajafuneralhomes.com