This year’s Woman of the Year grew up in Streator, Illinois with her parents and four siblings. She met Joe and fifteen months later, on May 27, 1977 they were married and she became Mrs. Karen Grygiel. Karen and Joe moved to Rockford and later had moves to Kentucky and Pennsylvania. In 2015, they settled down in Plainfield for their retirement years and joined the parish family of St. Mary Immaculate.
Besides being involved with our CCW, she also participates on the Parish Pastoral Council, Bereavement, Adoration, Welcome Gathering and the Friday Fish Frys. Karen is our Hospitality Chairperson and that job entails making sure we have refreshments and table decorations for each meeting. Along with that, she is also responsible for our Bake Sale and Parish Picnic Booth. Outside the church, she is a highly active member of the Social Committee at Villas at Fox Run.
Her favorite past time is to be with Joe or with the family spending time together for holidays, birthdays or just because! She loves to win on the slot machines, play games, travel or just relax at home. Karen starts most of her days off with morning Mass and Rosary. Some things noticed by other members about her are, going the extra mile, thinks out of the box, kind, empathetic, humble, pleasant attitude, dedicated and a fantastic bargain hunter!
Karen was shocked, thrilled and considers it a great honor to represent St. Mary Immaculate’s Council as Woman of the Year! She will be honored at a Mass at Cathedral of St. Raymond on Saturday, April 25th.