Lifelong Wicker Park resident parishes in fire: Geraldine Baginski

Gerri Baginski talking with Sister Antonia at a St. Mary's and Elizabeth Medical Center Health Fair

In the early morning of Saturday, May 23, Geraldine (Gerri) Baginski lost her life in her Wicker Park home as a result of a fire, just a day before her 77th birthday.

Just feet away, the front building was untouched by the back building fire

The fire consumed the entire interior of the back building where she lived in the 2100 block of W. Potomac. It was where she had lived since she was six or seven.

She and her sister Gloria attended St. Helen's school, 2347 W Augusta Blvd., followed by the former Holy Family Academy, before going to college. Gerri went on to DePaul obtaining her teaching degree.

Gerri's pastor at St. Helen's Church, Father Edward Cronin, said that if one-third of his parishioners had her faith, there would be nothing their church could not accomplish. 

"She was one of our greatest lecturers…she beamed each time she gave a lecture," he said. "She was a leader of the seniors group and they will be devastated. She always said 'they are not seniors, they are Golden Agers.'" 

A retired Chicago Public School teacher, she regularly had former students recognize her. They would remind her of who they were and she would launch into a story about them or what happened in school at the time they were there. 

Gloria Derengowski, Gerri's sister, Saturday afternoon was still in shock as she stood in front of the home in which she and her sister grewup

Among the schools at which she taught over the years were William H. Wells, 936 N. Ashland Ave., and Carl Schurz High School, 3601 N Milwaukee Ave. But her educational involvement went beyond the classroom. Her passion for CPS and its teachers even continued after her retirement. 

Beyond the world of education, she traveled around the globe for many years. She was petite, fit and stylish, concealing her chronological age.

Her regular activities after retirement were varied and included many different groups of people with different interests. The activities included going to a gym on Clark St.; staying involved in protesting on behalf of many causes; speaking up on behalf of the preservation of the Wicker Park neighborhood; keeping track of what was going on in the community and City Hall; expressing her opinions at police Beat Meetings, the Wicker Park Committee meetings and other community meetings; having fun with many friends; and expressing her opinions to politicians who she felt needed to be better educated on a multitude of issues that she was passionate about.

Nephews Ronald (center) and Michael (right) Derengowski were cleaning up at the back of the property Saturday afternoon

"She was never insulting in her criticism, like many others were," said former 1st Ward Alderman Proco "Joe" Moreno. Though never her alderman, Moreno lived around the corner from her.  She often shared her knowledge as well as challenged some of his actions. 

Baginski was energetic and ever curious in addition to being concerned and passionate about education, Chicago, her neighborhood and most importantly, her faith, family and friends. 

She is survived by her sister, Gloria Derengowski; her two nephews Ronald and Michael and their families; and her many friends and neighbors. 

Arrangements to honor her life will be announced at some time later. 

Note: I have known Gerri since I moved into the neighborhood 44 years ago. Like so many others, I am totally shocked about losing another longtime involved community member and friend. 

I invite everyone who has a story or tribute to share about Gerri to send it to me. It will become part of a longer, more in depth story in her honor to be published later. If you have photos, that would be awesome too! 

Please send words and images.