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Eugenia "Gene" Gatcheff, passed away peacefully in her home on Tuesday, September 7, 2021 at the age of 100. Beloved wife of the late "GG" Gatcho; loving mother of Yvonne (William) Ornt and Adrienne Mazur; cherished baba of Theron and Caden Ornt; dear friend and neighbor to many.

She was born and raised in Bulgaria.  Attended University in Germany and Austria where she met her husband, Gatcho, and got married.  She was highly educated, with degrees in Pharmacy and Biochemistry.  They immigrated to the US after surviving WWII in Germany. Settled in Chicago and she worked for 12 years at Billings Hospital at University of Chicago before shifting careers to have children and be a full-time mother. They spent summers in Union Pier and Lakeside Michigan, raising children, enjoying nature, beach-time, beach walks and fun times with family and close friends.

She was an exceptional cook and baker, all kinds of favorite Bulgarian, German, and American specialties.  She loved doing creative art projects using stones, fossils, and shells she collected. She enjoyed relaxing with her embroidery, needlepointing and playing cards with family and friends.  She loved gardening at her homes in Chicago and Michigan.  She was always active in her communities, be it PTO president, block associations, Bulgarian church and school.

She loved her family dearly, they meant the world to her.  She did everything in her power to keep them happy and healthy.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in memory of Eugenia can be made to either St. Sophia Bulgarian Orthodox Church in Des Plaines, IL https://www.saintsophiachurch.com/ or to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, https://www.stjude.org/give/memorials-and-dedications.html

Visitation will be Monday, September 13, 2021  from 2 P.M. to 3 P.M. at Nelson Funeral Home, 820 Talcott Road, Park Ridge, (Cumberland and Talcott) Funeral Service 3 P.M. Garden side under tent.

Due to current health mandates, everyone is asked to be patient and abide by the number of visitors allowed inside the funeral home. Everyone is welcomed, but we ask that you keep your inside visit short so that all who wish to pay their respects will be able to do so before the service. Please enter wearing a mask and maintain a healthy safe physical (Social) distance from one another.  Hand sanitizer is available at the entrance and exit of funeral home. After you pay your respects, please take a moment and sign in the guest book and join the family and friend's garden side, under the tent for a 3 PM Funeral Service.