1928
Vlasta
2024
Vlasta Stribrny
May 19, 1928 — June 3, 2024
She was born in Chicago, Il May 12, 1928 to Joseph Juracka and Marie Juracka (nee Suchy). Both parents were proud Americans and immigrants from small villages in the Czech lands. Vlasta was preceded in death by father Joseph, mother Marie, husband of 53 years John Stribrny Jr., cousins Dr. Vladimir “Wally” Suchy (Helen), Olive “Ollie” Suchy and is survived by son Scott Stribrny (Celia), daughter Lynne Mayer (Glenn), grandchildren Kelly Cheop (Joe), Jamie Crandall (Meghan), Sean Stribrny, Lindsay Mayer (Paul), Gregory Mayer; great grandchildren Nicholas, Jenna, Kaitlyn, Callie, Joshua, Jakob, Alexis, Maci, and Evan; nephew Kim Suchy and Niece Kathy Suchy.
Vlasta known by her friends as Val was raised a child of the Great Depression. She attended Robert Fulton Elementary School, 5300 S. Hermitage Chicago between September 1934 and June 1942. She went on to attend Lindblom High School, 6130 S. Walcott Avenue September 1942 to 1946. There as the violinist with the highest “rank” in her High School orchestra, she sat in the first chair, next to the conductor's podium. In the role of concertmaster, she customarily played all the violin solos within orchestral pieces. Her love of music continued throughout her life, joyfully sharing with her dear cousin Ollie live performances from Vienna by Dutch violinist and conductor Andre Rieu.
Married to John Stribrny Jr. 6/25/1949 Berwyn, IL until his death May 11, 2002, they began their married life in a small apartment on the Chicago South Side, soon moving to their custom built ranch style home in Palos Park in 1955 raising two children, and finally moving to Oak Hills in Palos Heights where she enjoyed an active community life for her final 20 years, happily volunteering at lake Katherine, and passionately engaging in games of Pinochle, Mexican Train, and Rummikub with her treasured family and friends. She readily mastered her iPad because it helped keep her in touch with distant family and friends using text messages and social media. She appreciated the warm friendships that she had with her quadrominium neighbors, all looking out for one another.
Vlasta was employed at United Airlines in Chicago from September 1946 to 1953. She worked point of sale at Palos Sales, a local family-owned general merchandise store from November 1964 to 1984.
Vlasta was proud of her Czech heritage, was lifelong member of Sokol Town of Lake/Spirit in the Chicago area, also serving many years in the role of Financial Secretary. Sokol is an organization that was founded by Dr. Miroslav Tyrs on the credo: “A Sound Mind in a Sound Body.” The original organization was formed in Prague in 1862. Sokol is the Czech word for falcon: a symbol of strength, beauty, harmony, and freedom. Into Vlasta’s late 80’s she actively participated in Sokol mass calisthenics as a means of promoting communal spirit and physical fitness. Vlasta also was a lifelong Member Czechoslovak Society of America, CSA Lodge Woodrow Wilson, America’s oldest fraternal society.
Vlasta was known by those whom she met as a sweet, gentle and kind person who enriched the lives of everyone who knew her.
Please consider sending Memorial donations to:
Sokol Spirit Memorials Attn: Katherine Heetel
450 7th Avenue
LaGrange, IL 60525
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Vlasta Stribrny, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Saturday, June 8, 2024
10:00am - 12:00 pm (Central time)
Kerry Funeral Home
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