Marijane Elizabeth Jemsek

Marijane Elizabeth Jemsek, age 88, of Mattoon, IL passed away at the Jemsek family home in Mattoon, IL on Friday, May 24, 2013 at 10:06 P.M. surrounded by her loving family.\r\n\r\nServices celebrating her life will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Wednesday, May 29, 2013 at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Twenty First St and Richmond Ave in Mattoon, IL with Reverend Dennis Kollross officiating. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery in Mattoon, IL. Visitation will be held Tuesday, May 28, 2013 from 5:00-8:00 P.M. at the Mitchell-Jerdan Funeral Home, 1200 Wabash Ave, Mattoon, IL 61938 with a Rosary service beginning at 7:45 P.M. Subsequent to the burial on Wednesday, a luncheon reception will be held at the Immaculate Conception Parish Center.\r\n\r\nMrs. Jemsek was born September 3, 1924 in Mattoon, IL, the daughter of Carl Wilson and Gertrude Alice (Shea) Robertson. She married Dr. John James Jemsek on May 1, 1948. He passed away January 20, 1997. Survivors include her four children; Dr. Joe Jemsek and his wife Kay of Charlotte, NC, Carla Choquette of Renton, WA, Angela Ballas and her husband J.D. of Yorba Linda, CA and Jack Jemsek and his wife Bobbie of Amherst, MA; fourteen grandchildren, John Joseph Jemsek, Jacqueline Joanne Jemsek, James Gregory Jemsek, Jordan Elizabeth Jemsek, Katherine Elizabeth Gjelten, Peter William Choquette, Marie Theresa MacCoy, Jennette Marie Ballas, Elizabeth Claire Ballas, John Demetrius Ballas IV, Daniel James Ballas, Julia Rose Jemsek, Danielle Rae Latorre and Olivia Jade Latorre; one great-grandchild Samuel William Gjelten. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband Dr. John James, and one daughter, Regina 'Gina 'Teresa Jemsek.\r\n\r\nMarijane attended St. Joseph elementary parochial school in Mattoon and graduated from high school at Saint Catherine Academy in Springfield, KY. She continued her education at the former Siena College in Memphis, TN where she received a Bachelor of Arts Degree with a double major in English and Sociology. While at Siena, she was active in drama, assuming leading roles in 'Joan of Arc' and 'Shubert Alley'. Marijane was president of Sigma Kappa, and was chosen by the Siena College student body to be the 'May Day' Queen and presided over the May Festival in 1946. Upon graduating, she was then employed as the Woman's Program Director at radio station WLBH in Mattoon, where she hosted the popular 'Nine O'Clock Club for Women' show, which broadcasted on weekday mornings. \r\n\r\nUpon their marriage in 1948, Dr. John and Marijane took up residence in Neoga, where they had the first two of their children and then moved to Mattoon, IL in 1953, and had the remaining three of their children. Marijane took great pride as a mother and housewife, and was the quintessential 'homemaker' for her husband and children. Over the years, she was very active within the community, participating in various charitable organizations and being active within the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. She volunteered for such organizations as the Mattoon Hospital Auxiliary, Sarah Bush Lincoln Health System Guild, Delta Theta Tau, and the Mattoon Chapters of Saint Vincent de Paul and Catholic Charities, where she was a member of the advisory board. Most recently, Marijane commissioned the world premiere of 'La Providence' at Saint Mary's of the Woods College in April 2012, in memory of her daughter Gina.\r\n\r\nMarijane had a passion for reading, poetry, story-telling, golf and especially gardening. She embraced her Irish heritage and was fond of taking trips to Ireland with members of her family. She was deeply devoted to her husband, children and grandchildren, and to the many friends she made over the years. Marijane will be greatly missed by all who were touched by her. \r\n\r\nMemorials may be made to Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, St. Vincent's DePaul Society or Camp New Hope in Mattoon, IL.\r\n\r\nTo share a memory or light a virtual candle, please visit www. mitchell-jerdan.com.\r\n

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Marijane Elizabeth Jemsek

September 3, 2024 - May 24, 2013