Five Sisters, One Journey to Misericordia 
by Barb Quaintance
On the South Side of Chicago, Leonard and Helen Wolniak ran a funeral home that had been in the family since 1922. They also raised five daughters, Nancy, Laura, Janet, Christina, and Karen. Born in the 1950s and ‘60s, three of the girls—Laura, Christina, and Karen—had a rare genetic condition, PKU, that wasn’t properly diagnosed or adequately treated until many years later. Today, babies are routinely tested for PKU, and with a specialized diet, they develop normally. Nancy and Janet were always very involved in their lives and became legal guardians after the death of their parents.
Laura, Christina (lovingly called Tinka), and Karen have cognitive disabilities as well as varying degrees of physical impairment. When their parents could no longer care for their three daughters at home, the parents moved their daughters into a CILA group home through St. Colette’s of Illinois in Mokena; they lived there for 25 years. They attended a sheltered workshop in Tinley Park. The family was well aware of Misericordia, as Janet Wolniak Bender worked at Misericordia South for twenty-five years, starting as a music therapist and eventually becoming Director of Misericordia South. Nancy Wolniak Cook, who had a degree in special education, helped with the family business and became a licensed director/embalmer. Nancy was also familiar with Misericordia, as Wolniak Funeral Home provided some funeral services for Misericordia residents.
Nancy and Janet were happy with “the girls'” care at St. Coletta until the CILAs were sold to another company. While Laura, Tinka, and Karen were happy and generally well cared for, Nancy and Janet were concerned about the long-term viability of their living situation. Thus began the journey to bring Laura, Tinka, and Karen to Misericordia.
Like all Misericordia families, the Wolniaks went through the admission process and waited until openings became available. With the recent major expansion at Misericordia, all three sisters were able to move to Mis in April. Laura now lives in the St. Jude Home in Rosemary Park, while Tinka and Karen share a room at Marian Center. Nancy and Janet have managed the transition with such care. It’s been an adjustment for Laura to live separately from her sisters, but they see each other at DT, at on-campus group gatherings, and when Nancy and Janet visit campus regularly.
Janet and Nancy have felt so supported by all the Misericordia staff who have made Laura, Tinka, and Karen feel welcomed and loved. Janet and Nancy also commented on how wonderful it is to work with the nursing staff because of their attention to detail, their ability to communicate well, and their willingness to share their vast knowledge and experience. Both sisters value the unique camaraderie of the Misericordia family and friends.
Those of us who have a child with special needs know the challenges of managing their care. Imagine managing the care of three special people. Nancy and Janet do it with such love—and joy. How lucky we are to have these five remarkable women join the Misericordia family.
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