Butterfly soars
O'er charred, black, Forest floor
…Life returns once more…

Brigitte Else Parker, 74, passed peacefully with her son and daughter, Anthony Parker and Maja Kunzi, at her side at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, IL, on March 25, 2022, following an unexpected cancer diagnosis on March 8. Brigitte was preparing to beat her diagnosis and scheduled to start chemotherapy treatments on March 24, but God had other plans.

On March 7, 1948, Brigitte was born in Kirchberg, Germany, to the late Hedwig and Robert Kunzi. Brigitte moved to the United States with her ex-husband Johnny L. Parker and her newborn, Maja, where they settled in Chicago, IL (Hyde Park) to raise their daughter.

Brigitte, affectionately known as 'momma' to the neighborhood children, was selfless, always thinking of others before herself. She sacrificed everything to successfully raise her two children.

A retired master seamstress, Brigitte worked and retired from JAEGER English Fashion Brand. She returned to Germany in the 90s to spend time with her family and care for her parents.

Ten years ago, Brigitte returned to Chicago to spend more time with her children. She took on a part-time job with Jewel's grocery store as a bagger, where she enjoyed meeting new people and serving the Chatham community. Brigitte enjoyed roller skating, hiking the forests in Germany and the hills of California, dancing, having a beer with her family, gardening, feeding the birds and squirrels in her garden. Her cat Jory and Maja's dogs Griff & Gigi will miss her.

Brigitte is survived by her two children Maja (Michael) Kunzi of Oakland, California and Anthony J. Parker of Chicago, Illinois. Her sister of Renate (Horst) Kofink of Klieningershiem, Germany, adoring aunt to Antje (Kurt) Burt, Anna-Lena, Sophia, Paulina; Claus (Yvonne) Kofink, Robin, Mara; Frank (Susi) Kofink, Pascal, Luca.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 30, 2022 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Michalik Funeral Home, 1056 West Chicago Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60642.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105 or www.stjude.org/donate or 800-805-5856.

Please offer online condolences or share memories and anecdotes on Brigitte's guestbook below.

For further information, please call 312-421-0936.