UPDATED: Palos Heights District 128 Mourns Loss of Independence Junior High Teacher

Update: Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Maureen Oleskiewicz died from choking on a hot dog while at a Chicago Cubs home game Sunday, according to a report by ABC 7.

Oleskiewicz was sitting in the bleachers when she started choking around 12:55 p.m., according to the report. She was transferred by Wrigley Field staff and paramedics to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center, where she was later declared dead.

Original Post: Tuesday, May 7, 2013  

A memorial service was held Tuesday night for an Independence Junior High teacher who died Tuesday. 

Maureen Oleskiewicz worked most recently as a 6th and 7th grade language arts teacher at Independence, and was wrapping up her fifth year teaching at the school. Oleskiewicz died suddenly following a recent accident. She was 28 years old. 

Oleskiewicz grew up in Palos Heights and attended Navajo Heights and Chippewa elementary schools, as well as Independence for junior high and Alan B. Shepard High School, according to her teacher website.

She is a graduate from Bradley University, having earned a degree in secondary education with focuses on language arts and social studies.

From her teacher site:

It is my belief that every day in school, as in life, is what you make of it.  

Administrators at Independence were not immediately available for comment. Specifics on her passing also were not immediately available Tuesday.

"There is no magic wand to fix what we cannot comprehend," said Superintendent Kathleen Casey in a press release. "Today, our crisis team and supporting grief counselors and social workers from neighboring school districts were available throughout the day for our staff and students.

"Maureen had a positive impact on countless students, parents and her colleagues. Her vibrant, positive outlook on life and her joyful nature will be missed more than words can convey."

The memorial service for Maureen Oleskiewicz was held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 7 at Incarnation Catholic Church, 5757 W. 127th St., Palos Heights. Visitation and funeral information will be available at a later time. 

Patch Associate Regional Editor Lauren Traut contributed to this report.

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