Helen Rose Matray (Nawrocki) — beloved wife, mother, grandmother and friend — died peacefully in her sleep Sunday, July, 24, 2016. She was 97. Helen was a longtime resident of Chicago’s southside and an avid White Sox fan who never missed a game on the radio. A selfless mom and homemaker, Helen raised two sons, Ronald and Mark, in the Morgan Park neighborhood with her late husband, Chester T. Matray. For the last 19 years, she’d found a second home at Bethlehem Woods retirement community in LaGrange Park, where she met many friends. Helen was witty and sharp, and she packed a lot of fire into her petite frame. She loved crafts and chocolate and could beat just about anyone at cards, especially if she was playing Skip-Bo.  She was a fierce baker who made double-chocolate-chip cookies and perfected the three-layer chocolate cake. Of course, she was best known for her famous apple pie. Helen is preceded in death by her husband, Chester T. Matray; son Ronald Matray; brother James Nawrocki and his wife, Kate.  She is survived by her son Dr. Mark Matray and his wife, Dr. Jean Corte; and her daughter-in-law, Dawn Matray. She leaves behind six grandchildren: Blake, Brooke, Blaine, Bryce, and Alexander Matray, and Margaret Matray Watson. She also will be missed by six great-grandchildren. Please join Helen’s family in celebrating her life. A visitation will be held 3 to 9 p.m. Friday, July 29, at Hallowell & James Funeral Home, 1025 W. 55th St., Countryside.  She will lie-in-state Saturday, July 30, from 9 a.m. until 10 a.m. Mass at the Congregation of St. Joseph Chapel, 1515 W. Ogden Ave., LaGrange Park. Interment will follow at Resurrection Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to St. Thomas Hospice. For more funeral information: 708-352-6500