Margaret ‘Marge’ Nykaza, founded Harmony, Hope and Healing, using music as therapy

Mike Nykaza said he’ll always remember the way his mom, Margaret “Marge” Nykaza, entered a room singing a loud, powerful “hello.”

“She was always singing. It was who she was at her core,” Mike Nykaza said. “When she walked into a space you knew Marge was in the room.”

Margaret Nykaza, of Evergreen Park, the founder of Harmony, Hope and Healing died Aug. 12 after battling breast cancer. She was 69.

In 2000, Margaret Nykaza founded Harmony, Hope and Healing, which offers a space for self-expression, emotional processing and healing for those experiencing homelessness, addiction and isolation, according to her obituary.

“Harmony, Hope and Healing creates a safe environment where vulnerable individuals and families can heal and rebuild through the restorative power of music,” Margaret Nykaza said in a video about the program.

The organization offers music therapy sessions, community performances and workshops for adults, children and teens, along with parent and child classes, according to its website.

“We are not the be all end all, but one important little spoke in the wheel to help people realize your voice is important, especially for people who have been silenced in this world, and especially for people who feel they have no voice. No. Your voice in important,” Margaret Nykaza said in the video.

Nykaza was born in Oak Lawn and had four siblings. She received her bachelor’s degree in music education from Eastern Illinois University, according to her obituary.

She went on to marry her high school sweetheart, Edward, Aug. 16, 1975, at St. Linus Catholic Church in Oak Lawn. The couple had three sons and five grandchildren, according to her obituary.

She was a professional singer and she taught theology and music to students of all ages within the Catholic Archdiocese. Mike Nykaza recalled his mom serving as music director at St. Linus School in Oak Lawn and teaching theology and leading music programs at Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School and Brother Rice High School, both located in Chicago.

Later in life, Margaret Nykaza received a degree in pastoral ministry from Loyola University Chicago, certification as a cross-cultural music healing practitioner and a doctorate of ministry degree from the Graduate Theological Foundation, according to her obituary.

Margaret Nykaza retired from Harmony, Hope and Healing in 2020, according to her obituary.

Mike Nykaza said music was his mother’s “love language.” She created Harmony, Hope and Healing to help people who have been marginalized find their voice.

“It was how she communicated. She knew that music was a universal language that she could use to inspire and help. It was all about service and how can we make the community we live in better and for everyone,” Mike Nykaza said. “She firmly believed that everyone can sing. No matter how good your voice is, collectively together we can accomplish a lot.”

Officials with Margaret’s Village said Margaret Nykaza “was a great friend” who brought her program to Margaret’s Village, which provides transitional housing for homeless women, children, families and seniors.

“Her pioneering spirit introduced music therapy as a cornerstone of our programs, making Harmony, Hope and Healing a leader in providing accessible and impactful music therapy services,” they said in a news release.

Ed D’Onofrio, board member and past president of Harmony, Hope and Healing, said he joined the organization after being an auctioneer for an event the organization held about seven years ago, when he meet and talked with Nykaza.

“I was struck by the mission and the people and especially by Marge,” D’Onofrio said. “She was such a force of energy and passion.”

D’Onofrio said Nykaza was a mentor and a friend. Shortly after he started, D’Onofrio said Nykaza asked him if his son, who played guitar, could help her teach a class.

“It was a marvel to see Marge lead a class and to have my son involved,” D’Onofrio said. “It was another day in the life of Marge, but it was powerful to watch.”

Harmony, Hope and Healing will continue its work, D’Onofrio said, to honor what Margaret Nykaza started.

“It’s her candle and we can’t let it go out because we know she’s watching us,” D’Onofrio said.