Maria Karas, 98, of Chicago passed away peacefully on March 3, 2023 with her family by her side.  

She was born in Poland to Jan and Zofia Jarosz on May 1, 1924.  She married the late Eugene Karas in 1951 .  

She is survived by her sister, Helen Williams of Chicago and her two children, Diane Winberg of Chicago and Richard Karas of Nashville.  She is also survived by four grandchildren: Kirsten Andreson, Stephanie Polakowski, Michael Karas and John Karas, and four great grandchildren.  

Maria survived many hardships during WWII.  She traveled the world following the war before settling in Chicago. Maria was a very loving wife, mother and Babcia.  She was known as a fantastic cook, often having parties and meals for family gatherings.  A hard worker, she raised her two children while working nights, full time at a factory.  She loved to bake and was an expert seamstress.  She was a meticulous  homemaker and took pride in gardening.  In her later years, she loved to spend time with her sister, Helen.  They really cared for each other.  Most of all, she loved to laugh and loved people.

Services will be held on Saturday, April 15th at St. Juliana’s Church, 7201 N. Oketo Ave., Chicago.  Visitation at 10:30 a.m.  Mass at 11:30 a.m. If you wish to send flowers in Maria's memory they can be sent to St. Juliana's for her service.