Janine E. Mara

My wife , the woman I loved and my support, Janine (Hartwig) Mara was born in Melrose Park on March 28th, 1947 to Rose and Ellsworth "Jim-Bud" Hartwig. She departed us on May 19th, 2023 due to many health issues. I was introduced to Janine by my best friend and best man John Murphy in 1963. On September 16th, 1967 Janine and Tom Mara were married in Lyons, lL and have been married over 55 years.

Janine was raised in Lyons, Il and graduated with the Morton West Class of 1965. After graduation, she attended Morton Junior College. She had a long career as a graphic artist and proof reader. Janine and Tom did many things together as cycling, hiking, amusement parks, going to the beach, sporting events and camping to mention a few with our two boys Michael and Timothy. She was very active until 2001 when many medical conditions surfaced Her major battle with kidney disease and its medications created other medical issues. Even during those difficult years she continued to do volunteer work. She contributed over 1200 hours to Elmhurst Hospital and her Immaculate Conception Church and Religious Education Center, as well as, the Methodist Church Clothing Center in Elmhurst.

Janine was assigned with a high security clearance at the Army and Procurement Supply Agency Plant, Elwood,IL. Because of her unique office skills and FBI clearances, she was responsible for reporting weekly statistics to Washington D.C. of all the ammunition made in the US plants for the Vietnam War. A secret she kept for over 40 years.

Janine, as a graphic artist had a special gift to write and send hundreds of cards and letters for all occasions. She also was an avid reader of several books per month. She loved playing scrabble at our Shorewood Glen Lodge. Her favorite show was Jeopardy and she usually answered many of the questions. Janine was also involved with many local organizations prior to retirement in Elmhurst.

She is survived by her loving husband, Tom Mara; her two sons, Michael (Heather) Mara and Timothy (Erin) Mara; her grandson, Brandon Turner; her granddaughters, Luna and Charlie Mara; her brothers, Tom (Debbie) Hartwig and there 3 children, Daniel, Carissa and Ashley; William (Claire ) Hartwig and there 3 children, Matthew, Elizabeth and Justin; a niece, Angie (Hartwig) Slivka; close relatives, Eddie and Corina Hartwig and son Zachary, Tom and Julie Hartwig and children Erik and Jaye; She also leaves behind the Garwood, Metz, Michalica, Malmborg, Lundgaard and Aksamit  families, whom she dearly loved; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins throughout the country also survive.

A very special thank you to our morning care-giver, Crystal Rodriguez and to our primary physician, Dr. Molly D'Costa for making a house visit on Janine's last day May 19th. God Bless you both.

Janine's wishes to be cremated will be respectfully honored. A Memorial Visitation will be held at the Carlson-Holmquist-Sayles Funeral Home and Crematory, 2320 Black Road, Joliet on Wednesday, May 31st,2023 from 3:00 to 7:00 pm. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at Holy Family Catholic Church, 600 Brookforest Ave. Shorewood on Thursday, June 1, 2023 at 10 am. Private inurnment will be held at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, Janine's wishes for donations in her memory to the Kidney Foundation of Illinois, 215 W. Illinois St. Suite 1C, Chicago, Illinois 60654 or St Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959