Jay Heuer Corr

Born on March 12, 1926 in Chicago, Illinois, Jay had a happy childhood, helping around the family businesses, leading horseback outings, and always surrounded by the dogs she so adored. She learned how to work hard at a young age at her family’s Rosemont, IL farm/stable and restaurant, where she marketed hotdogs for ‘10 cents a foot, 30 cents a yard’.  

Jay’s teenage weekends were filled with parish dances, where she always had a full dance card and was often surrounded by her best friends from Alvernia High School, Chicago. These friendships lasted her lifetime, and while they may have preceded her in death, they undoubtedly have saved her a seat at their table upstairs.  

When her first husband died of a cerebral hemorrhage in 1953, Jay was left a widow with two sons under three. It was soon thereafter that she met her “St. Joseph”, Michael Corr, and their love blossomed over horseback riding dates and faith. They married in 1956 and grew into a family of six.

Jay’s best days were spent serving others. In the 90s, Michael and Jay started “The Closet” at Chicago Read Mental Health Center, a place where residents could “shop” cost-free for clothes, shoes, toiletries and other necessities. They ensured that every Read patient received a birthday card with money on their special day. Jay’s other volunteer work included comforting/holding babies born with cocaine in their body, serving meals two nights per week at the Catholic Charities bread line, fundraising for the Alliance of the Mentally Ill, and as a founding member of Our Lady of Hope Catholic Church in Rosemont. Jay continued volunteering into her mid 90’s. She received numerous awards and recognition for her charitable efforts.

Always up to dance and sing, Jay was all smiles when it came to adventure with “her Michael.” They often hosted open house parties in their Park Ridge, IL home on Sunday evenings. Their travels took them around the world. Jay kept track of all the happenings in the lives of those in her orbit - she knew when you were busy at work, starting a new grade in school, or doing a project at the house. She had a way of easing anxieties and centering priorities through conversation, free from judgement and always rooted in encouragement.

Jay’s final chapter brought her to Indianapolis in 2019, where she became a spirited Hoosier in her home at Marquette Senior Living. Her daughter-in-law Lee’s extended family in Indianapolis graciously welcomed her with open arms and it brought her great joy to act as a Grandmother to all the Robinsons. Her dog, Spike, was always by her side. The duo kept a strict routine - Mass, The Tavern, and dinner with family/ friends. On Friday nights, you could reliably find her at the same table at Daddy Jack’s. Her time in Indy made for the perfect closing chapter of a life well lived.  

Jay was preceded in death by her husband Michael Francis Corr (2007), her first husband Robert Condy Diemer (1953), parents Kathryn (McGuire)(1992) and Clarence H. Heuer (1970), brother Edward J. Heuer (2010) and sister Juanita Eggert (2016).  

Jay is survived by her children Dennis Joseph Diemer Corr (Charlene), Thomas Robert Diemer Corr (Corinne ), Carol Ann Corr, and Michael Francis Corr, Jr (Lee). Grandmother of Jacob (Melissa), Joseph (Savannah), Anne (Blake), Daniel (Emily), Michael III (Carenina), Kathryn (Daniel), Robert (Kelly) and Clare (Michael). Great-grandmother of Payton, Bennett, Lana, Clay, Quinn, Fiona, Valerie, Jack and Annie. Jay also leaves behind numerous nephews, nieces, grandnephews and grandnieces.  

It is not easy to highlight nearly 100 years of a beautiful, full life. She will be greatly missed, but her family takes great comfort knowing she was well prepared for her journey and there are many people waiting for her in heaven, where her dance card is surely, once again, full.    

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on July 31 at 2:00pm in St. Luke Catholic Church, 7575 Holiday Drive East, Indianapolis. A private burial will take place in Chicago, where Jay will be laid to rest with her Michael. In lieu of flowers, contributions to her memory may be made to the Catholic Chapel of Marquette.