Helen was born June 8, 1927, the daughter of William and Ann (Selep) Bajus. On January 30, 1947, she married the love of her life, Henry Banas.
Helen was a vibrant, spirited woman with a little sass and a lot of personality. She had strong opinions and was never shy about sharing them, giving her family plenty of memories to smile about. She enjoyed spring break with her family at Limetree Beach Resort, in Sarasota, FL over many decades, trips to the casino, playing cards, reading books from the library, and challenging herself with crossword puzzles. She was an avid Cubs and Bears fan.
Following the death of her beloved husband, Henry, Helen made her home with her daughter, Christine, and son-in-law, Larry. She took great pride in caring for them, especially when it came to doing the laundry. Helen insisted on washing and ironing absolutely everything, a reflection of her loving nature and her desire to always be helpful.
Above all, Helen was devoted to her family and her Catholic faith. She lived a long and beautiful life filled with love, laughter, and a personality that was uniquely her own. Her spirited nature, quick wit, and unwavering love for her family will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.
Helen is survived by her daughter, Christine Wojtas; her grandchildren, Matt (Meg) Wojtas and Jessica (Glenn) Figenholtz; and her great-grandchildren, Francesca, Zachary, Stella, Mara, and Lucas.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband, Henry; her brother, John (Dorothy) Bajus; and her cherished son-in-law, Larry Wojtas.
Visitation will be held on Monday, November 9, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. until the time of the Funeral Mass at 2:00 p.m., all at St. Mary Catholic Church, 10307 Dundee Road, Huntley. Burial will be private at Fort Sheridan Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Misericordia Home – Heart of Mercy, www.misericordia.com.
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I am so very sorry for your loss. I have fond memories of her at the lime tree for spring break and Sarasota, Florida, and also Thanksgiving dinners at Matt and Meg‘s home. She had a quick quit but a full life and I’m sure she’s with Larry up in heaven right now.