Rosalind "Roz" Strapko, 56, passed away May 20, 2021 in her Algonquin, Ill., home, surrounded by her loving family.
Roz’s retail career began in the 1980s with Capitol Hardware. She would later join Reeve Store Equipment in sales. In 1997, Roz was hired as a sales associate with MEG Store Fixtures, where she would stay for 11 years. She remained on the fixture side of the business working as business development director for Fleetwood and then High Country, before joining Sparks in 2019 as account director, the position she held at the time of her passing.
She joined the Institute through the Chicago Chapter in 2000. Most recently Roz served on the International Events Committee. Noted International President Cynthia Hirsch, “Roz embodied all that you could want in an employee and a friend.”
Since 2017, Roz was involved with PANDAS Network, an organization dedicated to improving the diagnosis and treatment of children with PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections) and PANS (Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome).
Roz is survived by her husband John; her daughter Hannah; siblings Susan Johnson and Trina Wilton; brother-in-law George (Peggy) Strapko; father-in-law Gregory (late Janina) Strapko. She was also a fond aunt to many.
A Celebration of Life gathering is planned for Saturday, June 12, 2021 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., with a Time of Sharing to begin at 2:00 p.m. at Willow Funeral Home & Cremation Care, 1415 W. Algonquin Rd., Rolling Meadows, IL 60008.
In lieu of flowers, they family would appreciate donations to the American Cancer Society. American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22478, Oklahoma City, OK 73123; 800-227-2345.