Barbara Jean ("Jean") Skrak (nee Hecker), died at peace on July 3, 2015 in her home in Winnetka, IL.   Jean was the loving and devoted wife of the late Michael ("Mike") T. Skrak for 49 years when he preceded her to eternal life in 1999.  Born on April 19, 1928, Jean was the daughter of Paul and Blanche Hecker.  Jean and Mike were introduced by Mike's World War II Navy buddy, George Brumlik, who also happened to be Jean's uncle, in Chicago, IL.  They were married shortly thereafter on November 26, 1949.  From this joyous union Jean became the beloved mother of Michael (Carolyn Bekkedahl) of New York, NY; Paul (Ellen) of Albuquerque, NM; James (Barbara) of Hollywood, FL; Robert (Beverly) of Chicago, IL; and Barbara (Kevin) Shields of Wilmette, IL.  Jean was most devoted to her 12 grandchildren: Ryan (Antoinette) Skrak, Rebecca Skrak, Jesse Skrak, Jenna Skrak, Chelsea Kozak, Julia Skrak, Kyle Shields, Madeline Skrak, Gillian Shields, Michaela Shields,Tessa Shields and the late Ashlyn Shields; and her two great-grandchildren Jacques and Julien Skrak.  Jean is survived by her brother, Paul Hecker, and many nieces and nephews.  Jean leaves countless friends, all of whom are encouraged to join our family to remember and share her loving, compassionate, gracious and generous ways this Wednesday, July 8 ^th at Saints Faith, Hope & CharityCatholic Parish (191 Linden St., Winnetka, IL 60093).  Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., followed by a funeral mass at 11:00 a.m.  Dear friend Fr. Michael Sparough, SJ will preside.  Interment will be private. Memorial contributions may be directed to JDRF Illinois Chapter, 1 North LaSalle Street, Ste. 1200 Chicago IL 60602; and Cancer Research Institute, One Exchange Plaza, 55 Broadway, Suite 1802, New York, NY 10006. Please contact Cooney Funeral Home, 3918 W. Irving Park Rd., Chicago, IL 60618 at (773) 588-5850 for further information. www.cooneyfuneralhome.com