Balcerak, Evelyn

Evelyn Balcerak ( - 2005)
Polonia activist
A Tribute for Evelyn Balcerak - R.I.P.
Written by Evelyn's loving friend, Barbara Pawlowski
Chicago, IL - Usually we don't hear about what a person did most of their life, or their dedication, devotion, and hard work, until they have passed away. Fortunately,
when it comes to Evelyn Balcerak, the story is different. Last May 23, 2004 the 35th Anniversary was held of PRCUA District 9 - South Chicago Polish Dancers, Calumet Region District 9 Dance and Language School, PRCUA District 9 Dance and Language School at St. Stans East Chicago, Carmelite Fathers in Munster, Indiana, leading to the formation of St. Rafal Kalinowski Language and Dance School District 9 PRCUA.
Evelyn Balcerak was one of the founders and organizer of the beginning of the District 9 Polish Language and Dance School in 1968 at St. Mary Magdalene - South Chicago, IL. In 1974, she organized PRCUAs St. Joseph the Worker Society #1579. The charter members were: Casimer "Casey" Pawlowski - President; Evelyn Balcerak - Vice President; Rita B. Saunders - Recording Secretary; Mary Kmiec - 2nd Vice President; Chester Kmiec - Treasurer; Barbara Pawlowski - Financial Secretary; Clementine Nowakowski - Juvenile Secretary; Trustees: Mary Ann Kevan, Bernice Faldzinski, Joseph and Janet Swiatkowski, Richard Saunders, Raymond Balcerak, Chaplain Rev. Stanley Madej, National Director Helen Kucharski, Michael Kurzeja, Nicholas Nowicki, President Joseph Osajda, Lady Vice President Stella Nowak, Al and
Eleanor Lizak.
St Joseph the Worker Soc. #1579 includes members of St. Mary Magdalene,
Immaculate Conception, St. Michael's, St. Bronislawa, PRCUA Societies, Evelyn Balcerak, husband Raymond, son Cyril, along with her sister Rita, her husband Richard, daughters Ruth and Rosie. All met at St. Mary Magdalene Church, Barbara Pawlowski, with husband Casey and sons Ted and Paul. From this meeting in 1968 a relationship began and has lasted 37 years.
Evelyn devoted her life to her family and to the PRCUA. From day one, minds began to meet, organize, create, set goals, promote Polish language, dance, culture and heritage. She wanted to preserve Polish religious traditions and participate in Church activities - carry on in memory of our ancestors, recruit into the PRCUA parents, children, aunts and uncles, and friends to help us show who and what we believe in: the preservation of our Polish ethnic heritage and culture.
Evelyn beaded vests for the dancers' costumes. Evelyn and her sister, Rita, made all the headpieces. They did research to make the designs as authentic as possible. It was hard obtaining costumes from Poland, so with modern materials and busy hands the costumes were created. With only 5 months of dance training, from January through May of 1968, our school participated in a program at the Sherman House for May 1, 1968 Polish Constitution Day! And I must say that 37 years later, Evelyn was beading a Polish vest for our newest dance recruit, Beth Sadus.
Evelyn was recuperating from breast cancer and in 1998 from bone cancer. She had a rod put into her right leg and told her doctor "Fix me up right! I need to polka at the Polish Heritage Days!" It was held in October, 2001, at St. Andrew's Church in Calumet City. Gerry Tarka was the host of Polish Heritage Month. Also at St. Andrew's, Evelyn helped sell Polish articles at the Paczki Ball every year. Gerry Tarka always had our children dance at these affairs. The District 9 children were number one on Evelyn's agenda. "Give it to the kids" was what she said about all the profits made by our fund raisers. It went to the children in the form of the Polish Language and Dance School, Children Christmas parties, performances, costumes, etc. This is the legacy of Evelyn Balcerak. She never wanted people to know how much she was doing - she just did it!
Whenever the PRCUA had a procession at church, Evelyn always proudly wore her Polish costume. She attended many PRCUA National Conventions and was looking forward to 2006, but cancer took its course and on January 25, 2005, she passed away.
May 23, 2004, Evelyn was honored along with Barbara Pawlowski and the St. Joseph the Worker Soc. #1579 PRCUA (30 years) by the St. Rafal Kalinowski Polish Language and Dance School which is in existence 10 years. Since both Evelyn and Barbara Pawlowski had only sons, the adopted Director Elizabeth Grabowski and Grazyna Mazur Biestek as their "girls." Evelyn and Barbara needed someone to pass along their legacy to, who would do their work and carry their goals: to preserve Polish culture and heritage among the future generations of Polish Americans in District #9. This was accomplished when St. Rafal Kalinowski Society was formed by Evelyn Balcerak in 1994 and Evelyn became President. So, thanks to Evelyn, another school and society was formed and continues, St. Rafal Kalinowski - nationally accredited, with an enrollment of over 100 students who are learning the Polish language.
In January of 2005, Evelyn knew that our dance school was going to be taught by Misia Jaminski, choreographer of the Wesoly Lud PRCUA. This absolutely delighted her. Evelyn also saw Natalie Grabowski, daughter of Director Elizabeth Grabowski, crowned as Cinderella of 2005. How happy Evelyn was for this honor received by District 9!
Evelyn was the wife of the late Raymond Balcerak, who passed away in 1988. She was the mother of two sons, James Balcerak and Cyril (Angela) Balcerak and grandmother of two grandsons: Nicholas and Michael. Mass of Christian Burial was held at St. Andrew's Church and she was buried in Holy Cross Cemetery in Calumet City.
"Thank you, dear Evelyn, for all you have done for District #9 PRCUA! Rest in eternal peace knowing that you have accomplished a job well done."
Source: Narod Polski, Mar. 21, 2005