Roberta Kozlowski

Our family is saddened with the passing of our beloved ~Roberta Kozlowski 82, born into life
April 25, 1941, had resided in Chicago IL, passed away a little after 11pm on Thursday, August
10 th , 2023 at Bella Terra Rehabilitation/Nursing Home in Streamwood Illinois. She was loved
dearly and her legacy lives on through her family, daughters: Debra Simon and Regina Grippo -
LeFauve, deceased daughter Jeannine Grippo, granddaughters: Reyna Tomasek, Jen Grippo
and Verona LeFauve and great grandchildren: Angelina Rafalko-Grippo, Timmy Grippo, Laura
Grippo and Huddie Buddie. Her siblings: Eddie, Katherine, Heidi and John are deeply saddened
by the loss of their sister and she will live in their hearts and memory. We rejoice that she is no
longer in pain and is now Home with God whom she loved dearly.

Family Tribute:
My sister Bobbie will always be in my heart not only because she was a great sister but
because if it wasn't for her and I wouldn't be here. 29 years ago, I needed a bone marrow
transplant and my sister Bobbie didn't hesitate to give me her bone marrow so I could live. It
turned out that Bobbie was a perfect match for me and even after the bone marrow transplant
my sister Bobbie would come and visit me in the hospital to see how I was doing. It was a long
recovery for me but I always was confident that I was going to be okay, because without a
perfect match the other people in the hospital weren't living too long, a few weeks, a few months
or a few years. That is why I will be forever grateful to my sister and I hope God has a special
place for her in heaven. Love, John.

Mom, our love story began with my life in your womb and our journey on earth ended as you
transitioned out of the body and went Home to God. The last four months were hard on you, so
many hospitalizations, failing health and losing the life you had loved living down town. It was
painful to see you becoming so sick and struggle to breathe with your heart and lungs.
Reflecting back, God had everything planned, and you did not suffer long. Bella Terra was not
the place you wanted to be but the residents all fell in love with you as well as the staff and
other family members. They embraced us both. You are so unique mom, with a memorable
personality. You either liked people or you didn’t and they knew that. I learned more about you

mom, how much everyone at your apartment complex loved you, admired your exquisite taste
for clothing, furniture and you always had a designer’s eye. You beautified the 17 th floor for all of
the residents with tons of plants and a beautiful table. You bought birthday cakes and would buy
furniture at a good price and sell to other residents, who really appreciated your eye for design. I
so recall growing up your ability to get great bargains and you would not leave a store until the
sales person agreed with you! I loved remodeling with you, landscaping and truly loved all of the
animals you brought home or let us have. My favorite story is when you went to the laundry mat
to do clothes and came back with Sandy an Irish Setter who was homeless. I admire the
strength of you pushing through at rehab and trying to stay independent. It reminded me of the
strength you always showed as you raised 3 generations, worked so very hard so that we had a
roof over our head, a beautiful home and you always made birthdays, holidays and special
occasions memorable. You were a freedom loving person, explorer of life, loved family deep
within your heart, you were very conversational, loved shopping, loved animals and most
importantly, you did not waiver to preach the gospel and tell everyone you came in contact with
about “Christ Jesus”. You are home now mom and I know you are souring with the angels and
are with God and family who have passed that you longed to be with. -Lovingly, Debra

Dear Mother, although I know your life was not always easy, you did the best you could with
what you had. You had an ability to make things work and you always made sure we were taken
care of. It is true when they say…. A mother’s and daughter’s love are never separated. Even
after they are gone no daughter and mother ever live apart, because you always have her in
your heart. “Words are not enough to express the unconditional love that exists between a
mother and a daughter forever.” Lovingly, Regina

To My beautiful Grandmother Roberta who was like a mother, to me and my sister. You are now
with our Lord who you devoted your entire life to! So much that your pastor in Chicago has
offered to pay for your services even though you never asked or wanted anything from all the
service that you did for others and our God. Even though it was hard for me to digest that you
are gone from here, I truly believe that God doesn’t make mistakes and that it had to have been
your time to finally leave the burdens of this earth and be at peace rejoicing up there watching
over all of us. No more pain. No more suffering, just pure bliss and joy! Everything that you
deserve Grandma. We all miss and love you. Lovingly, Reyna

Grandma was a vibrant woman with a lot of personality! She had a style of grace and
sophistication. She loved animals, long cigarettes, and delicious foods, particularly fried chicken.
She taught me to have a voice, to work hard, but to make time for self-care by shopping, eating
good and she’s the reason I always keep a clen house. She also had a love for giving to others.
She walked until she literally couldn’t walk anymore. Her dream was to walk the grounds of
Jesus and had a profound love for the Jewish culture since Jesus was Jewish, yet accepted him
as her savior. Grandma is now at peace with her Lord. Lovingly, Jen

Grandma loved horses, I remember walking down the road with her to see and feed the horses.
She loved walking, she walked everywhere, she used to take me to Navy Pier when I was
younger and she watched me as a kid a lot. There was a baseball field behind her apartment
and by it there was like a hill and some water ducks, we always went there with Shiloh, he

would run around and I would get scared that Shiloh would run away but grandma always knew
he’d come back. She would sit out there for hours for me and Shiloh to play, we use to walk to
target and the pool right behind it, I loved the pool and I loved gong with grandma, she made it
so fun when I was a kid. There was a park right in between the target and pool and it had
sprinklers, we would stop at the park anytime we were going to target so I could play on the
swings and run through the sprinklers. I made friends at that park; grandma was picky with
people but she liked them. I love you grandma more than anything. Love, Laura

Grandma, may you rest in peace, Love Verona

Grandma, I loved you soooo much and will truly miss all the good times at the beach and
spending time with you and the family together, Love Timmy

Grandma was so strong and hard -working and she always spoke her mind. I remember she
would take me and Laura to castle park, it was one of my favorite places we would all go to. She
was always so much fun. Grandma had so many little glass knickknacks and mirrors that I
admired at her place; they were so pretty. She always decorated her glass aesthetics beautifully.
She had such a creative side to her. Grandma loved to walk around the city from the morning till
bed time and she loved animals so much too. She was a beautiful woman. I love you grandma,
Love Angel

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