Eugenia Jadran

Eugenia N. Jadran, of Bloomingdale, Ill., passed away on Jan. 2, 2026.

She was born on July 18, 1945, in the city of Puebla, Puebla, Mexico.

She graduated from Elmhurst University in

1986, formerly Elmhurst College. She studied business administration on top of becoming a certified teacher for the State of Illinois Board of Education. Prior, she also earned a degree in French and Italian studies from Puebla State University in 1973. Earning a master's degree and several certifications along the way, Jeanie set the bar for achievement at a high level. Eugenia or Geña to her family, she was well-known as “Jeanie” among colleagues across the state of Illinois.

Jeanie embarked on a career like few can stake claim to. She created and launched Spanish curriculum for several Catholic schools in the Chicago suburbs - classwork that is still used decades later. Jeanie “Señora Jadran” did the same for some Chicago area schools as well. She taught at every grade level, preschool to college.

Many also knew Jeanie for her ESL work. She taught people from nearly every continent and dozens of countries how to speak English. Her incredible group of tutors and colleagues accomplished this as a team through many programs but most memorably, School on Wheels. The final years of her professional life were spent with the Sisters of St. Joseph - a congregation she was committed to and loved with a passion.

Jeanie helped many students coming to the U.S. to work and study. She studied and learned about immigration law to help people navigate a process that can be, at times, daunting or intimidating. She helped countless people study for their citizenship test and earn GED certifications.

To say Jeanie had a calling and talent to teach and help others would be the understatement of the century. It is without any doubt that through education, Jeanie impacted and inspired thousands of people.

After teaching, Jeanie enjoyed volunteering as a bilingual lobbyist for her local congressperson. She spoke Spanish fluently, but also enjoyed learning other languages and spoke French and Italian fluently. In the past few years she was learning Turkish as well. Jeanie could also recite many prayers in Latin. She loves a good cup of coffee and would go as far as asking a barista, “Is your coffee good?” You may have caught her with a challenging crossword or a mobile word game. She was always learning. She had a magnificent zest for life and looked forward to each day with much gratitude.

Jeanie was devout in her Catholic faith from a young age to her final day here. She had great devotion to several saints and had a passion for prayer. Her phone alarm would chime at 3 p.m. and 3 a.m. daily. She would either attend mass in person at those times, or tune in with her favorite online mass (many in Rome) and pray in the “power hour.” She had much gratitude for her prayer groups and the people she would hold vigil with for the Holy Sacrament.

She would leave prayer cards in her children's homes in places she knew they would be seen and cherished. Jeanie had many prayers posted throughout her home. Among them were positive reminders, “Good morning, this is God. I will be handling all your problems today. I will not need your help. So have a good day.”

Her love for God and dedication to faith undoubtedly inspired her good heart and grace to others. She was selfless and loving, especially to her children and grandchildren. They were her joy and her heart was committed to them. She protected their health and well-being with great care. She was so thankful to have grandchildren and told her children, those blessings would never be taken for granted. Her time with Dario and Aurora ended far too soon. Jeanie spent many special moments with her two grandchildren and will remain the light in their hearts, the whisper of wisdom in their ears, the model of being a good human being, and the inspiration of their legacy.

Jeanie loved each of her children dearly. She held each one closely even if distance kept them apart physically. Jeanie dedicated her life to them while working full time and giving to others. That's just how big her heart was. Her love, thoughtfulness, and wisdom will remain always in her children's and grandchildren's minds.

She is survived by her children (David and Caroline; Farah and Niko; and Patricia); her grandchildren (Dario and Aurora).

She was predeceased by her husband nearly 10 years ago, Mohammad. It is with some solace, her children know she's been reunited with the love of her life. Together, they were a loving, genuine, selfless, and thoughtful couple. They were married more than 42 years before Mohammad’s passing. They are both greatly missed.

Services will be held on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, at Countryside Funeral Home in Roselle, 333 S. Roselle Rd, Roselle, IL. Guests are welcome to arrive at 3 p.m. for a Catholic rosary and prayers for the eternity of Jeanie’s soul and spirit. A reception with refreshments will follow prayers and eulogies. Receiving will run through 8 p.m.

Jeanie would fondly tell her children, “Send me flowers when I'm alive (to enjoy them). Don't send them when I'm gone.”

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Jeanie Jadran’s name to either Children First Fund (The Chicago Public Schools Foundation) Children First Fund or Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic Charities.