Josephine Sienko

Josephine Sienko, nee’ Filar, 97, of Chicago, Illinois, passed away peacefully on July 8th, 2025.  

She was born an identical twin with Sophia, her sister, on August 4th, 1927 to Magdalena and John Filar in Chicago.

Their parents both died very young, leaving the twin sisters at the age of 17 and their brother Frank at age 25, to carry on together. They were forced to survive without parents and this formed a bond between them that kept them close for their entire lives.

Josephine met Joseph Sienko and was married in 1956. They celebrated 59 years together before Joseph passed in 2015.  They had a son, Richard born in 1958 and a daughter Janice in 1963. The twin-sister bond with her sister Sophia was the glue that kept our families very close. The two families lived in the same house, vacationed and celebrated everything together, including good times and bad.

A loving and devoted wife, mother, Busia, sister and aunt, Josephine will be remembered for her strong commitment to family, faith, kindness, determination and love for all of us.

She worked for the Chicago Board of Education for many years in an administrative role. She quickly learned to be efficient on the typewriter and picked up shorthand.

She overcame her fear of swimming, later in life and enjoyed the pool program at McGuane park. She loved spending time with her grandchildren and was most happy when we were all together.

Josephine is survived by her loving daughter Janice (Joseph Cernik), grandchildren Caitlin and Kyle, her twin sister Sophia, nieces Joan and Karen and their families along with many nieces and nephews from the Sienko side. 

She is preceded in death by her husband Joseph, son Richard, brother Frank, brother in law John Dawiec, mother Magdalena, father John along with all of Joseph’s brothers and sisters from the Sienko side.

We want to thank our caregiver Marilyn for all her love and support.  

Funeral service will be held on Monday, July 14th, 2025 at 11am at St. Bruno Church 4751 S. Harding, burial at Resurrection Cemetery, followed by a luncheon at Janosik 9126 S Roberts Road, Hickory Hills.