Gale Marie Wroblewski
With deep sadness, we inform you that Gale Marie (Pristo) Wroblewski passed away peacefully at her home on February 15th, 2023.
Family was always the center of Gale’s life – the reason she lived and breathed. Growing up she was surrounded by loving parents, aunts, uncles, and cousins who taught her the importance of family bonds and quality time spent together. Gale truly embodied these values once she met her loving husband, Joe, and they soon created a family of their own.
Gale loved life and was passionate about the many holidays that occur throughout the year. Decorations were never taken down, but merely transitioned from one season to the next. Her kids and grandkids had the privilege of growing up in a world where no holiday was too small, and so much of life was meant to be celebrated. From Christmas to Valentine’s Day to Easter, each special day was celebrated with gifts, food, and most importantly, time spent together as a family.
Gale loved sports, especially playing golf and rooting for her Chicago Cubs. The only thing she enjoyed more than a trip to Wrigley Field was watching her kids and grandkids play at a local park. She also loved to travel, mostly to warm and sunny places – a honeymoon in Hawaii, many Spring Break trips to the beach, and several summer vacations to Italy.
Gale loved to have fun, and she truly valued the time she spent with her friends. Anyone feeling down could be quickly rejuvenated with a call to Gale, whose laugh was contagious, and who always encouraged a focus on the people and events that bring us joy.
In Gale’s way of thinking, there was no mystery in living a fulfilled life. Engage those around you, see the blessings in every day, and work not so much for your own happiness, but for the happiness of others.
Gale will be deeply missed, but her love, energy and zest for living will remain with all of us who knew and loved her.
Memorial contributions may be made to the University of Chicago Medicine: https://givetomedicine.uchicago.edu/
Visitation will take place from 10am to 11am on Monday February 20th at St. John of the Cross, 5005 Wolf Road, Western Springs. Funeral mass will follow immediately in the church chapel at 11am. Arrangements entrusted to Hallowell & James in Countryside. Funeral info: 708-352-6500
Gale emanated love and a zest for life apparent in direct dealings but also in the little signals one sends from a distance — a check-in to see how things are going, a surprise package in the mail, a card always remembered. Even while grappling with her own health issues she showed compassion and, more importantly, attention to others dealing with illness and loss. Her kindness, her humor, that skeptical grin and easy-going shrug at the foibles of others — it spoke to her own well-centered life and will all be missed by those who had the good fortune to know her. May she reawaken to ongoing love and new joys.
What a beautiful remembrance of Gale – absolutely beautiful Mike. It made me cry but at the same time brought me immense joy to hear how Gale made such an impact on those she knew. Thanks for sharing …
I will miss Gale so much as I called her my co-grandmother. We share our grandson’s Connor and Chase. When our daughter Kacie moved to Chicago so far away from her family in Florida. Gale and Joe took her under their wing and looked after her. That gave us relief to know she had the Wroblewski family. Gale truly lived for family and will be missed by all who were lucky enough to know her.
Nancy, thank you for sharing those kind words. You and Gale make a great co-grandmother team. I know that BOTH of you love Connor and Chase very much. You couldn’t ask for better grandmothers.
It was a pleasure and honor having Gale as a friend. I knew her from our Arthur Andersen days, and although we lived miles apart, she would let me know when she was in town, or vice versa. She was the real deal. I will always remember her laughing. May she rest in peace now, until we are all called home.
Thanks Lisa – these memories being shared are a great comfort to all of us grieving.
A perfectly expressed remembrance of the Gale I feel fortunate to have known over the last 10+ years. Gale truly lived for her family. She had the most infectious and unexpected laugh with a keen sense of humor that could change a point of view in a single moment. Her wisdom kept everyone honest. Gale’s inner strength and uplifting spirit was a strong example for those who witnessed it as she continually rallied, keeping what mattered most in perspective. Gale will live on in me eternally and I give thanks that our paths crossed. Rest peacefully.
I was fortunate to work with Gale way back in the Andersen Consulting days. She was a great team player and never hesitated to help others. As mentioned in other comments, she had a great laugh and light sense of humor. She was cool, calm and steady in pressure situations. I will always remember how composed she was when my wife contacted her during a serious family emergency and Gale knew exactly how to get me back home from a business trip in the quickest way. Rest peacefully, Gale!
A beautiful rememberance of Gale. She will be missed by many, she was a true friend. Even as she was suffering she was always able to spend a few minutes talking to you. She could certainly make me laugh about the things we did in our many escapades before we settled down, with our families. Our friendship went back more than 40+ years, it is so hard knowing that I will never be able to talk to her again. I looked forward to every Christmas card with the picture of her beautiful family. May god bless your whole family. I know she is resting peacefully now.
I’ve known Gale since I was a little girl peering through the fence into her backyard. Growing up, I had many, many wonderful memories with her and our families, visiting each other while living far apart and taking trips together. After moving here 16 years ago, I was able to experience a more adult relationship with her. And I have to say, in spite of all the fun, adventurous, and “exciting” times we had together, I have one definitive *favorite* memory with her. It was a sunny summer afternoon, and she had come over to my mom’s place to watch a Cubs game on TV. The three of us sat on the couch, we ate, we drank, and…we LAUGHED. It wasn’t any kind of extraordinary day or special occasion, but the way that day made me feel will always stand out. That is what I will remember about Gale. Whenever she was around, there was laughter!! She brought joy and humor to so many people and she was such a bright spot in this world. She will truly be missed.
Words cannot describe how I feel having learned of Gale’s passing. I was a young mom with an almost 2 year old and another on the way when we moved next door to Gale & Joe. Because I worked outside the home and it was winter, I didn’t talk with Gale very often, but she offered to watch Lauren if I needed someone when it was time to go to the hospital. As luck would have it, I was ready to give birth and my dad was in the hospital, my mom didn’t drive and my nearby aunt and uncle were out of town. Gale to the rescue! And that was the beginning of a friendship that lasted over 30 years. A year and a half later, we moved to Florida, but that didn’t end the friendship. We would fly up so the kids could trick or treat together. Then Gale & I would get the kids in bed, turn on David Letterman and eat their candy! We spent many summer vacations with the Wroblewskis, as well as trips to Chicago after Christmas. They also came to visit us in Florida. After we bought a mountain home in North Carolina, we spent several years meeting there to ring in the new year together. I moved back to Western Springs in 2007 and we were able to enjoy more time together. Lots of lunches, dinners and coffee dates. So many Cubs games, our annual mother-son Bulls game and all the Cubs/Bulls/Blackhawks games we watched together! The 2010 Stanley Cup where we sat in my living room with my mom watching Kane’s game winning goal and asking “What happened? Did it go in?” But the best time was the 2016 Cubs. I think we watched all of the World Series games together and we enjoyed Game 7 together at Twin Peaks. Waiting my whole life for a Cubs World Series and watching it with my best friend was the greatest thing I could ask for! I don’t remember a time with Gale when we didn’t laugh and laugh and laugh. Her sense of humor was so much like mine and we just really clicked. She was there for me when I was going through my divorce and she was at my mom’s bedside with me when my mom passed away. And even then, we were able to laugh! There will never be anyone in my life like Gale and I will carry these memories with me forever. Rest in Peace, my dear friend.
Joe, it is amazing to read what an impact Gale had on so many people. I know you have a very special family, and it is my sincere wish that you are all comforted at this difficult time. I send you my most heartfelt condolences.
“They that love beyond the world cannot be separated by it. Death cannot kill what never dies.”
William Penn
Our family met the Wroblewski‘s nearly 40 years ago when we moved to Western Springs. Nick and Brent started kindergarten together at Field Park, and Gale and I were young moms. I knew she was a wonderful person from the moment I met her. Always calm in a storm, she was unflappable in a way. I truly appreciated. Gale was so wise yet so humble. I loved her easy laugh, and light sense of humor. We stayed in touch even after we left Western Springs 30 years ago, and I’m so grateful for the time we met a couple of years ago to catch up. I think of her often and will always hold fond memories
Of Gale. I know her great legacy will live on in those who were lucky enough to know her.
Gale will be missed by friends, neighbors, and family. I will forever see Gale and Joe taking walks with their dog, Bella. Gale leaves behind a great husband, great children and grandchildren. We will continue to think of the Wroblewskis and remember them in our prayers and thoughts.