Jean Marie Mohan (born in Elmhurst, Illinois, in 1962) passed away on October 12, 2024, surrounded by her loving children and husband. She approached life with style, dignity, and an enduring sense of humor, which her family cherished in the weeks spent together before her passing. Jean was a gentle but valiant warrior in her three-year battle with cancer until the very end, and she continues to be an unflinching inspiration to all who knew her.

Jean was born to two loving parents (Rosemary and James Coffey) and grew up in Elmhurst as one of seven siblings (Rose Schuch, James Coffey, Mary Fran Coffey, Maureen Wilke, William Coffey, Patricia Waters). She worked hard to put herself through college at Western Illinois University, where she majored in marketing. She excelled as a sales representative in the travel industry, working for a major airline and a well-known cruise line, where her vibrant personality led to remarkable success. In 1988, she married her soulmate and the love of her life, Daniel Mohan. Despite her accomplished career, she chose to dedicate the majority of her life to being a full-time mother, raising her three spirited children: Kerry Mohan Ruggiero (born 1991, now in Chicago), Patrick D. Mohan (born 1992, now in Los Angeles), and James R. Mohan (born 1996, now in Chicago). They, along with her son-in-law Jack Ruggiero, who married Kerry in 2021, adored Jean.

Jean was a consummate exerciser, choosing long-walks and the peace of the outdoors as her daily vigil.  She traveled the world both in her professional career and with her family, enjoying a memorable visit to Italy just the month before she died, where she relaxed on boats in Lake Como, explored the canals of Venice, and even bicycled into Switzerland. Music was a passion of hers; she loved spending countless hours with friends, family, and especially her husband at Chicago's Pritzker Pavilion and local jazz clubs. Jean had a genuine care for everyone she met and often described herself as a "minimalist," valuing meaningful connections and experiences over status. Jean was quick with a joke and always went out of her way to help others.

Jean's experiences with cancer from an early age (Father, James, deceased 1974, Mother, Rosemary, deceased 1989, and son, James, survivor, diagnosed at age 4 in 2000) led Jean to a lifetime of service and commitment to the cancer community. She served as President of the Family Advisory Board and member of the Development Board at University of Chicago Comer Children's Hospital.  She volunteered at the Ronald McDonald House in Chicago, at Hinsdale Wellness House and for the Imerman Angels.  Most recently, Jean served as Clubhouse Program Administrator at Gilda's Club cancer wellness community in Chicago, where she shared a special relationship with the members, all of whom were impacted by cancer. Jean was also a tireless volunteer for St. Francis Xavier Grade School in LaGrange, Illinois where she and her husband raised their three children.

Jean's life will be celebrated on Saturday, October 19, 2024, beginning with a Visitation starting at 9:00 a.m. and Funeral Mass starting at 11:00 a.m. both at Old St. Patrick's Church, 700 West Adams Street, Chicago, Illinois 60661. Parking is available in the building located at 625 West Adams Street, Chicago, Illinois 60661 (entrance is on Desplaines Street - 1/2 block South of the Church on the East side of the Desplaines Street).

In keeping with her spirit of giving, Jean requested that, in lieu of flowers or charitable donations, those wishing to honor her memory consider donating blood or platelets through the American Red Cross, especially first-time donors. Regular donations help support cancer patients in need.

While her family mourns her passing, they celebrate the incredible blessing of having shared their lives with her.

For further information please call 312-421-0936.