Helen J. Sebastian-Issel

Helen J. Sebastian-Issel, 97, of Village of Lakewood, passed away on May 8, 2021. Formerly of Chicago, Helen was born to the late Theodore and Victoria Constant (nee Pacyga) on December 7, 1923.

She attended Lucy Flower High School and married Arthur Sebastian in 1942. Having 4 children, Edward (Rosemary), Margaret (Donald) Ostrom, the late William (Kathleen), and Victoria (Carlos) Tonda. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Helen, Jeffrey, Julie, Michael (Theresa), Steven (Rachel), Troy and Trent; her great-grandchildren, Jeffrey, Abigail, Emma, Andrew, Marissa and Anthony; and her four-legged companion, Bella.

Helen was preceded in death by her husband, Arthur; son, Bill; brother, John Constant; sister, Alice Woodworth; and her second husband, Frederick Issel.

Helen had never left the northwest side of Chicago until moving to Lakewood with her family in 2004. A child of Polish and Greek naturalized citizens, Helen enjoyed all the city had to offer; being an expert on taking the CTA as she never had the desire to learn how to drive. Helen worked her entire life until she retired in the 1980s. She enjoyed her long career in retail sales: F.W. Woolworth soda fountain counter clerk, Ft. Nightly cook and server (Chicago’s oldest women’s organization founded in 1873), Ted’s Place Diner at Lake and Cicero, Parkway Drugs, and eventually ended up working at Borovik Drugs (a family-owned neighborhood drugstore) at Irving and Cicero – where she remained for 40 years.

She genuinely enjoyed selling cosmetics, helping ladies find the right shade of lipstick and perfumes. Helen’s words of wisdom: “Never leave the house without lipstick and earrings.” Helen will be remembered for her love of purses, shoes, jewelry, gambling, good food, and was always ready to have fun.

“Her beautiful smile never wavered and is engraved in our family’s hearts forever. We love you, Mom, and we’ll miss you always.” Helen’s family would like to extend a special thank you to her caregiver, Mary.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 13, from 4-8 p.m. at Davenport Family Funeral Home and Crematory, 419 E. Terra Cotta Ave. (Rt. 176), Crystal Lake, IL. Visitation will continue at the funeral home on Friday, May 14, from 9 a.m. until the time of her service at 10 a.m. Interment will be held at St. Joseph Cemetery, River Grove, IL. For more information and to leave an online condolence message for the family, please visit davenportfamily.com or call 815-459-3411.