Helen C. Marcyan, nee Naminski, passed away September 23, 2022 in Long Grove, IL. Born in the Wicker Park area of Chicago, IL on April 12, 1931 to Thomas Naminski and Antoinette, nee Sokolowski. She had one sister Alice Mirochna, who passed away one month before Helen. Helen attended Holy Trinity Grammar School, Josephinum High School graduating in 1948 and from Mundelein University (now Loyola University of Chicago) in 1952. She later earned master's degrees in English and Education. She married Thaddeus (Ted) Marcyan in 1953 raising two boys Carlton Marcyan (Ana) and Christopher Marcyan. Ted passed away in 2006. She had three grandchildren: Magdalene (Peter Jason) Karampelas, Colt Marcyan and Baron Marcyan, and two great grandchildren: Cameron and Mia Karampelas. Dear aunt and great-aunt to many. Helen worked over five decades for the Chicago Board of Education working as a teacher at Grant and Anderson schools; Associate Principal at Wells High School; Assistant Principal at Hanson Park and Schubert schools; and Principal at LaSalle Language Academy and Hibbard School. She retired from CPS in 1990. Visitation Wednesday 4:00pm until 8:00pm at Skaja Terrace Funeral Home, 7812 N. Milwaukee Ave., Niles. Funeral Thursday 9:15 AM to St. Paul of the Cross for 10:00 AM Mass. Interment St. Adalbert. Funeral info 847-966-7302 or www.skajafuneralhomes.com

Helen met Ted through the Chicago Intercollegiate Counsel, and he supported her career and academic studies throughout the years. Her aspiration was to become a principal which she achieved and was instrumental in transforming LaSalle School in the Old Town area of Chicago into a language academy in the late 1970's with the school changing its name to LaSalle Language Academy. In addition to her academic pursuits she was very involved in the Polish Arts Club, Polish National Alliance, tap dancing, and international travel with Ted. She was awarded with many honors throughout her career but especially proud to receive the Outstanding Educator award  from the Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr. through Operation Push. She was also chosen to visit South Korea as a representative of the Chicago Public School system as part of  a cultural exchange.

When asked about her long career and success she said it was essentially hard work that got her to where she wanted to go. In a revealing moment she admitted that her first career choice was to become an accountant; a field of study in which she excelled at college; however, because she was a woman she could not get employed as an accountant and had to extend her undergraduate studies to earn sufficient credit to take the teacher' exam to get a job with the Chicago Public Schools. Her loss of profession choice was to the gain of many students and teachers with CPS.

She was very proud of her two sons, grandchildren and great grandchildren who gave her much joy. Helen was not only a wonderful mother spending much time with her family during her non-working hours but instrumental in providing her students with inspiration, strong work ethic and the skills necessary to succeed in life. In lieu of flowers, memorials most appreciated to PACCT Foundation  at PACTT Learning Center  712 Belleforte Ave.  Oak Park, IL 60302 https://www.pactt.org/donate