Aldona Placas

Aldona was born on January 31, 1952 in Wolverhampton, England, the oldest child born to Lithuanian immigrants, Viktoras Kelmelis and Brone Maila. In 1956 they emigrated to the U.S. and in 1959, she became a big sister to Viktoras Jr. In 1963 the family moved to Brighton Park. Being born British, Aldona laid claim to Paul McCartney and the Beatles, as she attended Immaculate Conception school, graduating in 1966. She attended Maria High School, and Čikagos AukštesniojiLituanistine Mokykla (ČALM), performed in Pirmyn opera performances, and Aušros Vartu Tunto scouts, planning meetings for the youngest (paukštytes). She first caught the eye of the love of her life, Gintaras Plačas, at Camp Rakas in 1970 ,,Nemuno” stovykla, whipping up pizzas with leftovers in the camp kitchen. Their first date was on the beaches of Union Pier, MI (Vidurio Rajono vadovusuvažiavimas Gintaras Resort). The Everly Brothers “All I Have to Do is Dream” was their love song Aldona and Gintaras both worked first jobs together, at Marshall Fields on State Street, she in the toy department, he in the furniture department. Christmas at Marshall Fields inspired them to collect ornaments, which would decorate the tallest trees that could fit inside their future home together. Going to work was only a walk away from their courses at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Aldona graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and completed Histology courses at a program offered by Holy Cross Hospital. She then taught the program and became the Director of the Histology Department at Holy Cross Hospital for 32 years She worked a handful of years at Palos Hospital and Silver Cross Hospital as well, before retiring in 2018. Aldona and Gintaraswere married among her favorite gardenias on September 20.1975 and raised three children, Julyte, Petras and Krista, making sacrifices to educate them in Catholic schools, speak bilingually and know their Lithuanian heritage, sought out professional ballet, baseball and gymnastics classes, and empowered them with Lithuanian scout virtues. An outstanding cook and the queen of themed parties, her Napoleonai, amazing birthday cakes and cookies were treasuresthe grandkids Ilona and Lukas will miss the most (besides her warm and loving embraces). Her kitchen was filled with “good luck chickens” and thousands of recipes which kept her son-in-laws Andrius and Tom happily full. Her talents ensured that her kids had handmade Halloween costumes, knit hats, and the most dynamic school projects. Korean TV dramas and planting in her garden gave her much comfort. Aldona died at Palos Hospital on November 13, 2022, in a vigil of serenades, embraces, prayers and tears, shared by the strong family she created with her devotion. Ilsėkis ramybėjeAldute, Budž, Mama, Močiute! You’ve worked so very, very hard… The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures. He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul, He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff comfort me Thou prepares a table before me in the presence of mine enemies. Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life. And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. -- Psalm 23s