Friends step up to help family of Hinsdale woman who drowned saving her son

Friends of a 31-year-old Hinsdale woman who drowned while rescuing her son in the Des Plaines River near Libertyville Sunday are raising funds to help her family.

Angelina Khalimendik died Sunday while with family and friends at the Independence Grove Forest Preserve.

Khalimendik’s friend and employer, Hinsdale resident Teddy Wozny, has organized a GoFundMe account to pay for funeral and burial costs.

Funds also would provide immediate financial support for her family, including 9-year-old Michael, 10-year-old Anna and 7-year-old Johnny, whose life his mother gave hers to save.

“Johnny is alive today because his mother chose him, without hesitation, in the last moments of her life,” Wozny wrote on the GoFundMe page. “Anyone who knew Angie knew someone kind, wonderful, hardworking and deeply selfless.”

Wozny, who owns a Mokena-based tax accounting firm, said she had been a stay-at-home mom when she told him she was looking for work. Their families were neighbors and had known each other for several years.

“She was sitting in my backyard, saying, ‘I’ve sent 50 resumes out and, because I’ve been a stay-at-home mom for so long, no one will hire me.’”

Wozny said his firm could use some help and hired her as his customer relations manager. She soon proved herself indispensable, managing the workflow in the office, he said.

“She has been absolutely wonderful,” he said. “She turned into my right hand.”

He said the family’s needs will include rent.

“The kids are going to have so much to deal with,” Wozny said.

A Lake County coroner’s investigation revealed Khalimendik entered the river to assist her son. After helping him to safety, Khalimendik became submerged herself.

Lake County Forest Preserves Public Safety Director Ron Davis said the family was fishing at the time. He said recent torrential rains made the river especially rough.

A family member and bystanders rushed to her aid and removed her from the water, the coroner’s office said.

Authorities said Lake County Forest Preserve police and Libertyville Fire Department personnel responded to the area about 7:01 p.m. for a water rescue. They arrived to find her unconscious and not breathing.

She was taken to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville, where she was pronounced dead in the emergency room, according to the coroner’s office.

“Our thoughts are with the victim’s family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time,” Davis said.

szalusky@dailyherald.com