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Diane Starr’s day starts early — waiting tables at Les Café Pancake House in Hickory Hills, where she’s worked for nearly a quarter century. By night, she’s a singer in a local band. Somewhere in between, she checks in on elderly neighbors, styles her grandmother’s hair, and makes time for her son, Greg Gedzius, 29 — all while trying to stay grateful, even on the hard days.
“Even in tough times, I try to stay grateful, and that changes everything,” Starr said. “It’s a mindset.”
Starr lives in Countryside now, but her ties to the southwest suburbs run deep. Born and raised in Chicago, she moved to Bridgeview in the late ‘90s, later settling in Hickory Hills, where she spent more than a decade raising Greg as a single mom and carving out a life rooted in community and care.
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“Having a child at a young age did not stop me, in fact, it empowered me to want to do better,” Starr said. Determined to build a strong foundation for her future, she earned an associate degree in fine arts from Moraine Valley Community College.
She’s not seeking attention or accolades. Starr’s story isn’t built on headlines — it’s built on showing up. On steady acts of kindness, on caring for her community, her family, and finding joy in the everyday. Hers is a story of quiet resilience, of living with intention, and not losing herself in the process.
That desire to serve isn’t new. “I used to want to be a waitress when I was a kid,” Starr said with a laugh. “It sounds crazy, but I’ve always loved the hospitality industry. More than that, I just love serving.”
Her work at Les Café has made her a familiar and comforting presence to customers — many of whom have become close friends over the years. “I have a lot of regulars, and if I don’t see them for a while, I’ll give them a buzz or check on them,” she said. “I just want to know how they’re doing.”
Service, for Starr, also means community care. For years, she worked as a licensed beautician at nursing homes, where she styled residents’ hair and volunteered her time. “It was a little bit of both,” she said. “Spending time, playing games — little stuff like that.” Though she’s stepped away from that work, she still cuts hair for friends and family, including her grandmother, Irene, whom she remains close to.
She also lends her time to Kruse’s Krew, an organization run by community member Jim Kruse that supports veterans and those in need.
She finds inspiration in other strong women around her—like her grandmother and Joyce, her boyfriend’s 85-year-old mother, whom she affectionately calls Miss Johnson. Joyce exercises, plays piano, and dances daily. “She’s my piano teacher and my voice teacher,” Starr said. “When I’m 85, I want to be doing that.”
Outside of the restaurant, Starr channels her creativity through music and dance. She’s performed with bands for more than 20 years and currently sings with the group Lizzy. “We do all kinds of events, and this summer, we’re doing a benefit for a friend of mine who’s facing some health issues,” she said. Starr also attends social Latin dances when she can. “It’s just something I love,” she said.
Her gray tabby cat, Gordy, is also part of her support system. “He’s such a teddy bear,” she said. “He sleeps with me every night.”
Life hasn’t been easy. Starr lost both of her parents in recent years, a loss she carries daily. “I believe I’ll reunite with them again one day,” she said. “That’s my faith.” It’s that faith, and a commitment to gratitude, that sustains her.
“There’s always a light at the end of the tunnel,” Starr said. “Take care of your business, take care of your children, and just keep plugging away at the things that bring you joy.”
Starr hopes to volunteer more in the future — maybe at Hines VA Hospital — as she continues to find ways to give back. “Women don’t have to stop,” she said. “We can keep going, keep doing what we love. And that’s exactly what I plan to do.”
Her story is one of perseverance, service and finding joy — a reminder, especially during Women’s History Month, of the quiet power women bring to their communities every day.
Editor’s Note: This is one of a series of stories highlighting the accomplishments of local women in honor of Women’s History Month
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