Emma Rosa Ptak (Nee Chavez), age 95, at rest on March 6, 2024. Beloved wife of the late Wladyslaw "Bladis"  Ptak. Loving Mother of Kathie  (the late Ken) Parks, Joseph,  John (Maria), Anna (Michael) Lieberman and Susan (Harold) Earle. Cherished Grandmother of Benjamin Parks, Andrew (Melissa) Parks, Bianca Ptak, Robert (Jessica) Ptak, Stefanie (Vince) Ridolfo, Christina (Tony) Gutierrez, Cassandra Ptak, Joshua (Rachel) Lieberman and Stephen Lieberman, Christopher Earle, Bryan (Emily) Earle, Michael (Emily) Earle and Steven Earle. Great Grandmother of Kody, Noah, River, Prairie and Emma Parks, Lucas, Beckham and Emery Ptak, Gigi, Domenic, and Joey Ridolfo, Nico Gutierrez, Jonathan, Nathaniel and Theodore Lieberman, Madilyn, Ryan, Mackenzie, Emmett, Elias and Beauden Earle. Dear sister, aunt and cousin to many throughout the world.

Emma was born in Peru and met her Polish husband, Bladis, who was a WWII Polish Army veteran. In 1960, Emma, Bladis and their four children immigrated to the United States and added one more child to the family after they settled in the city of Chicago. They loved the United States, and one of the proudest days of their lives was when they became US citizens. Emma and Bladis were happily married for 63 years before he preceded her in death. Emma worked for the City of Chicago. While working for the City, Emma received many awards for her community gardening programs. She also worked with senior citizens in cooperation with the State of Illinois, Department of Aging. Emma was actively involved in politics by assisting and participating in Chicago mayoral campaigns. Emma retired from the City of Chicago after 25 years of service. Emma had many passions in life and was able to live them throughout her retirement years. She loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. It gave her great pleasure to be surrounded by them. She was an avid gardener.  Flowers and vegetables flourished under her green thumb. She loved to read and was always immersed in books. In her later years with her vision diminishing, she turned to audiobooks. Emma was a wonderful cook and many people got to enjoy her delicious Peruvian meals. When it came to travel, just mention a trip, and she started packing her suitcase.  She was fortunate to travel extensively in the United States and visited over 20 countries. Emma’s three great loves in life, were God, her family, and a good joke.

Visitation for Emma will take place on Sunday, March 10, 2024 from 3:00 pm until 8:00 pm and Monday from 11:00 am until time of funeral service at 12:00 Noon at Cumberland Chapels 8300 W. Lawrence Ave. Norridge, Il. Interment will follow at Irving Park Cemetery in Chicago.