F Newsmagazine alumna was fatally struck by tour bus in downtown Chicago

A personal account by Elliott Beazley, Webmaster

Justyna was a star. She wasn’t just a talented designer, artist, and mentor—she was also a beautiful soul. She worked with F Newsmagazine from 2007-2008, where she contributed some of the most creative ideas the paper has ever seen. Recently I pulled out an old issue of F where Justyna wrote and designed a feature of the Green Map Project, which is part of a class at SAIC that reaches out to neighborhoods of Chicago through ideas on sustaining the environment. She loved the city of Chicago with all of her heart.

Born in Poland, Justyna moved to America from Germany to attend the School of the Art Institute. She touched many of the faculty and students, especially in the visual communication department. When attending her memorial in Millennium Park, it was so special to see many faculty, students, and friends of SAIC joining together to remember our friend. Some of Justyna’s closest friends led us from Millennium Park to Lake Michigan as we held candles and each other. Justyna loved to see Chicago from the sky, and I know she was watching us as we walked through the night.

Justyna’s work was so compelling that she became an art director at Ogilvy & Mather, a prestigious branding agency. Like SAIC, Ogilvy had the chance to know one of the most gifted designers around. Here is a photo of her with her designer identity (From Facebook):

From the F Newsmagazine Staff: Justyna we love you and miss you and we will celebrate your life forever.

Funeral Arrangements:

Visitation:
Thursday, May 12 at River East Art Center, 435 E. Illinois St., Chicago, 60611 from 3 to 8 p.m.
Friday, May 13, 9 to 11 a.m. with Funeral Mass following at Holy Name Cathedral, 735 N. State St., Chicago, 60611.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Justyna’s name may be made to Catholic Charities Refugee Program, 721 N. LaSalle St., 4th Floor, Chicago, IL 60654-9965. For info., 312-421-0936 or michalikfuneralhome.com