Anne Cecelia Orishak

Anne Cecelia Truty Orishak, 97, passed peacefully in her room at Givens Health Center on November 16, 2020. Her daughter, Melanie was with her at the time. Mom slipped away as the Third Decade of the Divine Mercy Chaplet was being prayed aloud.

Anne was born in Chicago, Illinois to the late Frank and Agnes Zarecki Truty. She was preceded in death by her husband, Stephen Orishak; brothers Frank, Louie, and Andy, and sisters Helen and Mary. Her older sister, Veronica, resides in a nursing home in Wheaton, Illinois.

Anne was the youngest of seven children. She graduated from Lindblom High School in Chicago and lived in the greater Chicago area until the age of 90. It was at that time she moved to Asheville, NC to be with her daughter Melanie and family.

Throughout her life, Anne was of an independent mind and approached life on her terms with zeal and an adventurous attitude.

Anne enjoyed various positions throughout her career including: office manager at Jacobs Homes; and legal assistant / editorial assistant for Varo Optical, a science research firm.

She was a member of St. Norberts Catholic Church community in Northbook, IL and joined St. Barnabas Catholic Church when she moved to Arden, NC. While In Northbrook she was active in the church as she belonged to the choir, Catholic women’s clubs, and taught CCD for many years. Being an avid reader and bridge player she had many friends who shared the same interest. She enjoyed golf, loved her beloved Cocker Spaniels, and spending time in her beautiful gardens was a source of endless joy.

Mom loved gourmet cooking and belonged to several gourmet groups with her husband Stephen. She met Stephen, her husband of 40 years, at a USO dance in Chicago when he was a student at the University of Chicago and an ensign in the ROTC program. After Stephen passed, she started and organized a Phoenix group for widowers and divorcees and was also very active in “Friendship Group”. The Friendship Group was a social group that met monthly and organized luncheons, parties, outings whose main goal was to have fun.

She is survived by her children, daughter Melanie Lisdero and son in law, Richard J; son Stephen Brian Orishak and partner Shari Wang; grandson Scott Joseph Thien and wife Kristen Thien, and great granddaughter, Mariah Thien; her older sister, Ronnie Pankratz; and several nieces and nephews; who, over the years, have generously helped Anne and kept her in their prayers.

Many thanks go to all her special Northbrook friends, especially Louise and Florianne, who were truly good friends and graciously helped Mom in her senior years. Special thanks to all the caregivers at Givens Health Care Center that helped Mom feel safe, happy, and loved. We greatly appreciate Four Seasons Hospice for all their support and help in her final days. Mom’s health was blessed as her body just wore out.

In lieu of flowers please send donations in memory of Mom to Little Sisters of the Poor, St. Mary’s Home, 2325 N. Lakewood Avenue, Chicago, IL 60614. Their website is www.littlesistersofthepoorchicago.org

A memorial mass will be held at St. Barnabas Catholic Church, Arden, NC on Thursday, November 19, 2020 at 1:30 pm with Father Adrian Porras officiating. Due to Covid-19, funeral services are limited to 50 people at current time.

Anne’s funeral will be live streamed 1:30 ET through St. Barnabas in Arden, NC; Go to stbarnabasarden.org and click on the live stream link or go to the youtube page and search stbarnabasarden.

Groce Funeral Home will also livestream the service from Groce Funeral Home’s Facebook page.

Interment will follow at Calvary Episcopal Churchyard in Fletcher, NC.

Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian is assisting the family.