Obituary: Jane Smigiel

LEMONT, IL — On Sept. 27, 2022, Jane Smigiel, beloved mom, died at 92. Jane was born and raised in Chicago, but moved with her husband Henry to Lemont, where they raised four daughters.

They remained in the home they built for 54 years. They were parishioners at St. Alphonsus. Jane worked in Lemont, as a grade school lunch monitor, she worked at Ben Franklin, and also at Lemont High School in the cafeteria for many years. She enjoyed her jobs, but her true passion was to be with her family.

Jane deeply loved her husband, four daughters, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and would do anything for them. She had a love for Chicago sports, all things Irish, and all holidays, but especially Christmas. She would host Thanksgiving and make her famous turkey dressing. The first snowfall of the season meant homemade chicken noodle soup. "Grandma" will be missed by all, but we know she is no longer suffering and that she is being welcomed by so many family members and friends that have gone before her.

Jane is survived by her daughters, Rosemary Gapa, Mary Jo Duckworth, Patricia (Tim) Ruppert, and Jane (Jeff) Festin; grandchildren, Laura Hawkins, Dan Hawkins, Mike (Amritha) Ruppert, Matt (Liana) Ruppert, Melissa Ruppert, Jenny (Robbie) Butcher; and great-grandchildren, Charlotte Butcher, Jack Butcher, and Priyanka Ruppert; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Jane is preceded in death by her parents, Roseanna and Daniel O'Brien; husband, Henry Smigiel; brothers Daniel O'Brien and Charles O'Brien; and her sons-in-law, Dave Hawkins, Mitch Gapa and Robert Duckworth.

Visitation was Sept. 30, 2022 at Markiewicz Funeral Home, P.C. 108 Illinois St., Lemont. Funeral services were Oct. 1, 2022, from the funeral home to St. Alphonsus Church for Mass. Interment St. Alphonsus Cemetery.