Kristina Marie Lichak of Schaumburg

Kristina M. Lichak of Schaumburg, passed away April 20, 2026. Kristina Marie Lichak (Budzinski) passed away on April 20th at St. Alexis Hospital in Hoffman Estates, Illinois. She was born Kristina Marie Budzinski and is lovingly survived by her mother, Sophie, and her father, Tad. She is also survived by her brother, Ted, his wife Rachel, and their three children, Anna, Luke, and Joey. On her extended family side, she is survived by her “brother from another mother,” Mark, his wife Jen, and their four children: Amara, Liliana, Mia (affectionately known as “Silly Omelet”), and Elena. Kris was all of those things—a mother, a friend, a coworker, a doer, a thinker. And sometimes, she was the motivation we all needed. But more than anything—more than the travel, the experiences—what she loved most, what she wanted to reflect, was her time with Amelia. In October 2019, we got the call: there was a baby girl, viable for adoption, in the NICU in Ottawa. We went down with our eyes wide open, making jokes the whole way—like only Kris could do. We got to the hospital, scrubbed in, and fed Amelia for the first time. Then the head nurse came over and said, “You better get a car seat tonight—I think you’re taking her home this week.” So off we went—quick stop at a local bar for a bite, then to Target, learning on the fly how to install a car seat. And somehow, it all just worked. On the drive home, about halfway there, Amelia decided it was time for a diaper situation. Kris, like a ninja, pulls into a gas station—one hand changing a preemie diaper, the other pumping gas. That was us. That was how we rolled. No job too big, no job too small. And honestly, it was amazing to watch. There were so many moments like that. During my cancer treatment, Kris was right there on the front lines—not just as a driver or support system, but as a true partner. She sat in meetings with the doctors, took notes, asked questions. She wanted to understand everything. She got involved. And if she told me to eat more kale one more time, I might’ve lost it—but that was Kris. And I’m so incredibly grateful for her. Kris had a deep love for experiences. Whether it was exploring a small town in Illinois, traveling back to Ohio, or visiting vibrant cities like Boston, San Diego, Napa, and San Francisco, she embraced every journey. She especially cherished moments like crossing the Golden Gate Bridge or discovering a great local hamburger spot right next door. She was an avid traveler who found joy not in extravagance, but in meaningful moments—sharing stories, spending time with loved ones, and creating lasting memories. Kris wasn’t flashy, but she had a special talent for finding hidden gems, from thrift shops to delicious, affordable meals. Kristina will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her. Family and friends are to gather for the visitation on Thursday, April 30, 2026 from 10:00 A.M. till time of service at 12:30 P.M. at Morizzo Funeral Home, 2550 West Hassell Rd., (Northeast corner of Barrington Rd.), Hoffman Estates, IL. 60169. Interment will follow at St. Michael the Archangel Cemetery in Palatine. The family has created this Life Tributes page to make it easy to share your memories, photos, and videos. For those of you that would have attended services and would like to express your condolences please click on the "Share A Memory" link above and you can leave a message. If you wish to send a Sympathy Card, please feel free to send it to Morizzo Funeral Home, 2550 Hassell Road, Hoffman Estates, Illinois, 60169 c/o the Family; we will gladly forward it on to the family. For further information please contact the Morizzo Funeral Directors at 847.752.6444. Arrangements entrusted to Morizzo Funeral Home, Cremation Services and Cemetery Memorials, at 2550 West Hassell Road, (Northeast corner at Barrington Road), Hoffman Estates, Illinois 60169. Morizzo Memorials and Monuments.

Kristina Marie Lichak of Schaumburg

September 5, 1975 - April 20, 2026