Jeanne C. Stuart, 99, of Elmhurst, Illinois, passed away peacefully on December 20, 2024.
Born in Buffalo, New York, to Nathalia (née Vosseller) and Frederick Crane, Jeanne graduated from that city’s Bennett High School in 1942. She earned a full scholarship to Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York, where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in American history in 1945 at just 20 years old. Shortly after graduation, she moved to Chicago and briefly worked for Encyclopædia Britannica.
Jeanne returned to Buffalo, where she rekindled a connection with her former high school classmate James D. Stuart. The couple relocated to Chicago in 1949 and married on May 20, 1950, in a chapel of the Holy Name Cathedral. They lived in Hyde Park when Jim was chief resident in pediatrics at the University of Chicago. In 1954, they moved to Elmhurst, where Jim practiced as a pediatrician for many years. They were married for 40 years until Jim’s passing in 1991.
Jeanne was deeply engaged in local politics. She was one of the first female members of Elmhurst’s Zoning Board and the Elmhurst City Council. She represented Elmhurst’s Fourth Ward from 1975 to 1983, and played a crucial role in the planning, funding, and construction of the Elmhurst underpass along Robert T. Palmer Drive, named in honor of a former city manager and close friend. She was an early member of Elmhurst League of Women Voters, joining shortly after she moved to Elmhurst; she served as the League president and membership chair and held other executive roles.
Jeanne was a dedicated member of Bethel United Church of Christ since the 1960s. She actively participated in various committees. She felt honored to be part of the church’s search committee for its most recent pastor, Rev. Gretchen Sylvester. Even at 90, Jeanne prepared large meals and sandwiches for Housing Forward and the Night Ministry, supporting homeless LGBTQIA+ individuals. She was recognized for her service at Bethel’s 70th anniversary celebration last year.
A devoted music lover, she was president of the Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra Auxiliary. In recognition of her outstanding service, she received the orchestra’s prestigious Silver Measure Award in 1994. Jeanne was also a longtime financial supporter of Elmhurst University, which recognized her support in 2018.
Jeanne traveled extensively in retirement. She spent most summers at her cabin north of Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. She and her sister explored the Lewis and Clark trail, as well as England, Scotland, France, Italy, Israel, and Russia. Her other loves included the Lyric Opera of Chicago, the Goodman Theater, Steppenwolf Theater, and Chicago Shakespeare Theatre. She was a subscriber of them all. She was a member of the Art Institute of Chicago for much of her adult life and a member of the Elmhurst Art Museum from its opening. She loved cooking and hosting dinner parties, bridge, knitting, and needlepoint.
Jeanne was the beloved mother of Robert (Janice), Thomas (Sandra), and Christopher (Rose) Stuart; a proud grandmother to Jacob, Ryan, and Jennifer Stuart; the dear sister-in-law of
William Stuart; and a cherished aunt to many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, husband, and sister and brother-in-law, Carolyn and Robert Fisher.
A memorial service will be held at Bethel United Church of Christ, 315 East St. Charles Rd., Elmhurst, Illinois on Saturday, January 18, 2025, at 1:30 pm.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Bethel United Church of Christ (https://www.bethel-ucc.org/give) or the Illinois League of Women Voters (https://www.lwvil.org/donate-campaign-to-safeguard-democracy).