Diagnosed with cancer five years ago, Elaine M. Jungnickel neither let her illness nor the laundry list of treatments she had to endure stand in the way of living life to the fullest, loved ones said.The Naperville mother of three rarely missed an activity involving her family, as she continued to volunteer at her church and children's schools. Three years ago, she accompanied her two daughters on a youth mission trip, where she helped build houses for low-income families in Tennessee.
"She was up there on ladders, swinging hammers and pounding nails," said her husband of 20 years, Eric. "Nothing could stop her."
Mrs. Jungnickel, 50, a seamstress and homemaker, died of ovarian cancer Thursday, Jan. 24, in her home.
Born in Hinsdale, Mrs. Jungnickel grew up in Bridgeview. She graduated from Argo High School in Summit, where she was active in theater. She received a bachelor's degree in business from Chicago State University.
After college, Mrs. Jungnickel began a career in fashion design as a manager and buyer for Lili of Trieste, a women's clothing boutique in Hickory Hills. She also helped coordinate fashion shows and was a runway model for the store.
"She had an eye for detail that gave her a real fashion sense," said her husband, who met Mrs. Jungnickel while she was celebrating her birthday at a downtown Chicago dance club.
The couple married in 1987, one year from the day they met.
"I spotted her immediately, because she was so stunningly beautiful," her husband said. "I pointed her out to my buddy and he just laughed and said, 'Like you'd really have a chance with her.'
"But when I was about to leave a few minutes later, our eyes locked from across the room. I walked over and introduced myself. Then I got her to dance with me."
In 1989, Mrs. Jungnickel opened a women's clothing store, 22nd Street Boutique, in Oak Brook with her older sister Dorrie Dalen.
The sisters operated the boutique together, making several buying trips to Dallas and New York before having to close the shop a year later, her husband said.
"It was a short-lived business venture, but a dream come true, nonetheless, for the two of them," he said.
Mrs. Jungnickel was an active member of Grace United Methodist Church in Naperville, where she helped found a cancer support group and was involved with Walk to a Emmaus, a spiritual affirmation movement.
"Elaine had many talents and interests, but nothing came close to the joy she felt being a mom," said close friend and neighbor Alicia Storey. "She glowed just being around her children. They were the jewels of her crown."
In addition to her husband and sister, survivors include a son, Joseph "Mak"; two daughters, Courtney and Carley; her mother, Elizabeth "Betty" Masulis; a brother, James Makaroff; and three other sisters, Anna Serafino, Betty Jo Finazzo and Cathy Grzelak.
Born in Hinsdale, Mrs. Jungnickel grew up in Bridgeview. She graduated from Argo High School in Summit, where she was active in theater. She received a bachelor's degree in business from Chicago State University.
After college, Mrs. Jungnickel began a career in fashion design as a manager and buyer for Lili of Trieste, a women's clothing boutique in Hickory Hills. She also helped coordinate fashion shows and was a runway model for the store.
"She had an eye for detail that gave her a real fashion sense," said her husband, who met Mrs. Jungnickel while she was celebrating her birthday at a downtown Chicago dance club.
The couple married in 1987, one year from the day they met.
"I spotted her immediately, because she was so stunningly beautiful," her husband said. "I pointed her out to my buddy and he just laughed and said, 'Like you'd really have a chance with her.'
"But when I was about to leave a few minutes later, our eyes locked from across the room. I walked over and introduced myself. Then I got her to dance with me."
In 1989, Mrs. Jungnickel opened a women's clothing store, 22nd Street Boutique, in Oak Brook with her older sister Dorrie Dalen.
The sisters operated the boutique together, making several buying trips to Dallas and New York before having to close the shop a year later, her husband said.
"It was a short-lived business venture, but a dream come true, nonetheless, for the two of them," he said.
Mrs. Jungnickel was an active member of Grace United Methodist Church in Naperville, where she helped found a cancer support group and was involved with Walk to a Emmaus, a spiritual affirmation movement.
"Elaine had many talents and interests, but nothing came close to the joy she felt being a mom," said close friend and neighbor Alicia Storey. "She glowed just being around her children. They were the jewels of her crown."
In addition to her husband and sister, survivors include a son, Joseph "Mak"; two daughters, Courtney and Carley; her mother, Elizabeth "Betty" Masulis; a brother, James Makaroff; and three other sisters, Anna Serafino, Betty Jo Finazzo and Cathy Grzelak.