Dana Stawski, 87, Award-winning visual artist

Dana A. Stawski (nee Bogdana Ann Sielski), 87, a longtime resident of Oak Park, died surrounded by her family on June 10, 2012. Born on Jan. 19, 1925 in Buffalo, N.Y., she was formerly married to Stanley O. Stawski with whom she co-founded Stawski Distributing Company.

A graduate of the Art Institute of Chicago, she was an aficionado of Chicago architecture, its history and music, and was a critically recognized visual artist, earning numerous awards for her work. She was a longstanding member of the West Suburban Artists Guild, the Senior Artist Network, the Chicago Sketch Club, the Palette and Chisel Club as well as Friends of the Oak Park Conservatory. She was also active in Calvary Memorial Church's Golden Heirs Club and the Forest Park Community Center.

Dana Stawski is survived by her children, Nina, Andy, Vick, and Joey; her grandchildren, Michael, Terence, Stephanie, Christina, Libby, and Carly; and her great-grandchildren, Casey, Eli, Jac, and Lukas. She was preceded in death by her parents, Stephanie and Stephan Sielski.

Funeral Mass was celebrated on June 14, at Our Lady of Sorrows Basilica in Chicago. Among her private papers, the family found her favorite quotation, something they believe she heard on television: "What the sunshine is to flowers, the Lord Jesus is to my soul."