Gina Faye Burns

Gina Faye Burns, nee Smukowski. Age 51, passed away peacefully on September 24, 2022. Gina grew up a spicy farm girl in Butternut, Wisconsin and went on to study accounting at Marquette University. Upon her graduation she moved to Chicago, married her husband Paul and together raised a family centered on laughs, education and independence. Gina relished watching her children grow and fought endlessly not to miss a moment. She found peace riding her horse Cassie and spending time with her nieces, nephews and friends. 

Gina was the cherished daughter of Gordon (Deanne) Smukowski and the late Marylin Smukowski; beloved wife of Paul: loving mother to Alex and Phaelyn; treasured sister of Gwen (Gary) Smukowski and Gordon (Theresa) Smukowski; guiding aunt of Racheal (Gonzo) Vergara, Ryan (Katie) Meier, Jessica Meier, Shelby and Jordan Smukowski; and doting great-aunt of Mason Meier and Drake Meier. Gina was preceded in death by her mother, Marylin; sister Gail Meier; grandparents Walter & Fay Smukowski and Dorothy Peters. 

Visitation: Sunday, October 2, 2022 from 4:00PM-8:00PM at Ryan-Parke Funeral Home,120 S. Northwest Highway, Park Ridge, IL 60068. Funeral Mass, Monday, October 3, 2022 at 10:00 AM at St. Paul of the Cross Church, 140 S. Northwest Hwy., Park Ridge, IL 60068. Interment private. Luncheon to follow mass.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests you continue Gina’s battle against cancer by donating to the Mayo Clinic’s Neuroendocrine Research Foundation, https://philanthropy.mayoclinic.org/donateMC. Designate my gift to: Other Designation: Neuroendocrine Cancer Research- Gina Burns.  

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