Rose-Marie Pycha

Rose Marie Elizabeth (Babel) Pycha, passed away on Tuesday, February 20th, 2018 at the age of 70 years old.

Rose was born on June 27th, 1947 in Chicago, IL. She attended Immaculate Heart of Mary High School in Westchester, IL. She lived her life continually questioning the status quo. While her devotion to her beliefs led her to a brief enrollment in a convent, her search for answers soon led her to become the first woman in her family to graduate college at DePaul University, where she was later one of the few women attending law school there. She left shortly before graduating to take a job with the federal government to uncover fraud and abuse in long term care and mental health institutions.

As a mother, she passed on her critical thinking and creativity to her two daughters. Throughout her life, she carried her sense of justice and duty with her through many causes and political campaigns. Never afraid to be outspoken, she may be most remembered for her listening and empathy.

Rose is survived by her husband, Charles Pycha of Middleton, WI; children: Angeline Rose Babel (Dominic Co) of Middleton, WI & Katrina Pycha-Holst (Jesse) of Madison, WI; sister, Mary (Bob) Lehman of Lombard, IL; grandchildren Magritte and Emerson Babel-Co, and Sawyer Pycha-Holst. She is preceded in death by her parents: Mary (Wlezein) and Stanley Babel.

A small memorial service will be held at Holy Wisdom Monastery on Saturday March 3rd at 1p.m. Visitation with the family will begin beforehand at 12:30 p.m. Holy Wisdom Monastery, 4200 Co Hwy M, Middleton, WI 53562.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Rose's name to one of the organization that is near to her: Amnesty International, Human Rights Campaign, Southern Poverty Law Center or American Heart Association.