Jennie Cascone

Jennie was born the oldest child on June 14, 1929 to John and Maria Schembari, in Chicago, surrounded by immediate and extended Italian family. The family grew with the birth of Mary and Lucille. Jennie took the role of older sister to heart, always guiding in a kind-hearted and gentle manner. Jennie travelled to Italy in 1950 and there she married Salvatore Cascone. Upon returning to Chicago, the couple settled in the apartment flat above Jennie’s family. In typical Italian fashion, Jennie continued to live in the same neighborhood as her immediate family and aunts, uncles, and cousins. Family meant everything to Jennie. Once Sal passed away in 2010, Jennie lived independently and energetically, participating in line dancing, chair yoga, and card-playing with her cousins. In 2020, in response to COVID sheltering, Jennie moved in with Lucille, and the two sisters remained inseparable until she passed away at home, with Lucille by her side.

Jennie is survived by her devoted and loyal sister Lucille, her niece Diane Terrien (David), and nephew Michael Koelsch (Siobhan). She was also blessed with nephews and nieces, essentially grandchildren, John Terrien (Van), Shannon, Connor, and Quinn Koelsch. She was preceded in death by her husband Salvatore, her infant son Rosario, her loving sister Mary Koelsch (Bernard), and her parents John and Maria Schembari.

Jennie never met a stranger. She was warm, outgoing, engaging, and friendly. Even a passing “Hello” on the street could turn into a two hour conversation – whether it was with a friend or someone she had just met. Jennie was loyal, loving, generous, witty, meticulous, patient, charming, nurturing, kind, empathetic, wise, humble, and always dressed to the nines with jewelry to match. She always prioritized her role as daughter, sister, wife, mother, auntie, godmother, cousin, granddaughter, niece, and friend.

Visitation: January 9th, 4-8 PM @ Blake-Lamb Funeral Home (4727 W 103rd St, Oak Lawn, IL)

Prayer Service: January 10th, 10:30 AM @ Blake-Lamb Funeral Home (4727 W 103rd St, Oak Lawn, IL)

Mass: January 10th, 11 AM @ St. Linus (10300 Lawler Ave, Oak Lawn, IL), entombment will follow @ Holy Sepulchre (W 111th St, Worth, IL)

In honor of Jennie's devotion to St. Jude, the family would appreciate contributions be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN.