Madelynn Joyce Jacobs

Madelynn Joyce (Corbett) Jacobs, 83, of Chicago, IL passed away on Sunday January 25, 2026 surrounded by her family. Madelynn was born on August 27, 1942, the daughter of James Corbett and Nellie Corbett (nee. Donohue). Madelynn was united in marriage to Timothy William Jacobs on June 18, 1966, in Chicago, IL. Madelynn is survived by three children, Maureen (David) Stine, Anastasia “Stacey” (Steve) Anti, and Timothy (Meg) Jacobs; and six grandchildren, Kevin and Luke Anti, William, Michael, Thomas and Theodore Jacobs. Madelynn is also survived by her sisters Maureen Corbett, Joanne Rogers and Janet (Michael) Snyder and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers James(Carol) and Roderick(Mary Pat), and brother-in-law William “Billy” Jacobs, nephews Patrick Snyder and Kevin Corbett and her parents-in-laws William and Margaret Jacobs (nee. Hogan).

Madelynn grew up in a three-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment on 5830 N. Clark Street. It was a crowded but lively living arrangement that included her parents, grandmother, five siblings as well as an aunt and uncle. Her father was a police officer and mother a homemaker. After attending elementary and high school at St. Gregory’s, she joined the workforce getting her first full time job as a copy editor at Who’s Who on Ohio Street in 1958. She was initially offered $200 per month salary that she roundly rejected. Who’s Who came to their senses and upped their offer to $250 which she accepted. She worked for Who’s Who until the late 1970s when her third child was born. She re-joined the workforce in 1984 as a purchasing manager for Illinois Masonic Hospital where she remained employed until retiring in 2007.

While Madelynn displayed an incredibly strong work ethic throughout her life, she also enjoyed some vices as well. Namely, bloody marys and casino gambling. One of the highlights of her year was taking a well-deserved weekend vacation with friends to Las Vegas or a ride up to Milwaukee for Irish Fest. She also sneaked an occasional quick trip to an Indiana riverboat telling her family she was going “shopping.”

Madelynn was very proud of her Irish descent. Her children had the “Quiet Man” memorized through osmosis before they were ambulatory as it was on regularly in her house, not just on St. Patrick’s Day. Her home was covered in portraits of great Irish writers like William Butler Yeats and Oscar Wilde along with maps of Ireland where she would point out where her family originated.

Family was a priority for Madelynn. She was a devoted mother and wife, married 60 wonderful years to her husband Tim. She taught her kids the value of hard work and a good sense of humor. The Jacobs household was never in short supply of laughter in large part due to her. In her later years, she took tremendous joy in her six grandsons, attending many sporting and school events, serving as a frequent babysitter to all, especially for overnight stays. They are her legacy.

Visitation will be held from 3:00 PM until 7:00 PM on Monday, February 2, 2026, at Drake and Son Funeral Home, 5303 North Western Avenue, Chicago, Illinois. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, beginning at the Funeral Home with prayers at 8:30 AM for immediate family members. Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 AM at St. Elizabeth of the Trinity, 6020 W. Ardmore Avenue, Chicago Illinois. Private Interment.