Early Sunday morning on August 20, 2017, the Darien Police Department responded to an emergency call on . The Collision
Emily Patricia Houska, 23 years of age, at rest August 23, 2017. Chicago Tribune Pedestrian, 23, Struck By Car In Darien: Police - Patch
ISU student emerges strong after assault on Constitution Trail
An organization aligned with her professional goals in family social work.
Houska graduated from in the spring of 2016 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Work. Seeking to expand her expertise, she later enrolled at DePaul University in Chicago, where she participated in the Advanced Standing Program for a Master of Social Work (MSW). Resilience After Trauma
At the time of her passing, she was continuing her studies in social work at DePaul University in Chicago.
: At approximately 5:00 a.m. on Sunday, August 20, 2017, Emily Houska was walking as a pedestrian near North Frontage Road, just west of Bailey Road in Darien. She was struck by an oncoming vehicle.
Her mother, Carol, moved into Emily's small apartment to help. Carol was sixty-one, practical and unsentimental, the kind of woman who expressed love through casseroles and freshly ironed sheets. But in the quiet moments — when she helped Emily wash her hair in the kitchen sink because the shower was too dangerous, when she buttoned Emily's shirts because one-handed dressing was impossible — Carol's hands would tremble, and Emily would pretend not to notice.
Below is a commemorative post honoring her memory and the organizations she supported. 🕊️ In Loving Memory of Emily Houska (1994–2017) Today we remember Emily Houska
Emily Patricia Houska ( August 23, 2017) was a 23-year-old Illinois State University (ISU) graduate whose life and tragic passing left a profound impact on her community [5, 1]. In August 2017, Emily was hit by a car while walking in Downers Grove, Illinois [1]. She was transported to Good Samaritan Hospital, where she later passed away from her injuries [1].
Known sources (for verification)
A GoFundMe campaign was established in her honor to support charitable causes, reflecting her lifelong passion for social service. Her obituary highlights the profound impact she had on her family, including her parents, Dan and Michelle, and her sisters, Katie and Sara.