Jane Cantieri

November 1, 1927 – July 21, 2026

Jane A. Cantieri, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully on July 21, 2026, at the age of 98.

Born in Chicago on November 1, 1927, just months after Charles Lindbergh's historic transatlantic flight, Jane grew up in a close-knit Irish neighborhood on the city's South Side. She attended Mercy High School and briefly studied at DePaul University before beginning her career as executive assistant to the General Counsel at Armour & Company, where she was admired for her intelligence, poise, and strong work ethic.

In 1949, Jane married the love of her life, Angelo Cantieri. Together they created a home filled with faith, laughter, and hospitality. In 1953, they moved to Mount Prospect, where they raised their family of nine children.

A woman of deep Catholic faith, Jane attended weekly Mass at St. Raymond de Penafort Parish for more than 70 years. After raising her children, she returned to work as Executive Assistant in the Math and Science Department at Prospect High School, where she was respected for her organization, dedication, and sound judgment.

Jane was a spirited competitor with a lifelong love of games. She was a skilled bridge player who treasured the friendships she formed around the bridge table and through her bridge club. She also loved Scrabble and, despite her competitive nature, was never too proud to ask for help finding the perfect word.

Known for her common sense, sound judgment, and strong will, Jane was always ready with thoughtful advice—whether requested or not. When one of her children became a little too full of themselves, she had a favorite reminder: "SPS—Self Praise Stinks." It was classic Jane: practical, memorable, and delivered with love.

She had an extraordinary memory for the milestones and accomplishments of her nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and the friends of her children, always remembering birthdays, graduations, careers, and other important moments. As the oldest married sister in her family, she naturally became the one who brought everyone together. She loved entertaining her brothers, sisters, their friends, and her large extended family, hosting countless dinners while quietly wondering whether her cooking measured up to that of her beloved Italian mother-in-law.

Jane also treasured friendships through her bridge clubs, investment club, parish women's club, and many social circles. In her younger years, she enjoyed figure skating and swimming. Later, she embraced cross-country skiing in northern Wisconsin, snorkeling in Hawaii and Mexico, and organized memorable camping trips throughout the United States and Canada for her growing family. In later years, she traveled extensively to visit siblings and children across the country and enjoyed several trips to Europe.

The last surviving member of her birth family, Jane was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 54 years, Angelo Cantieri, who passed away in 2004, and by her son Daniel Cantieri (Trish), who passed away in 2014.

She is lovingly remembered by her children: John (Katy) Cantieri; Thomas (Carol) Cantieri; Jane Bleck (Jim); Christine Dassinger (Warren); Michael (Joan) Cantieri; Robert (Janice) Cantieri; Paul (Jill) Cantieri; and William (Ann) Cantieri. She was the cherished grandmother of 28 grandchildren and proud great-grandmother of 23 great-grandchildren, all of whom were blessed by her love, wisdom, and example.

Her family will remember her as the steady center of their lives—a woman of deep faith, sharp wit, practical wisdom, and unconditional love, whose greatest joy was seeing her family grow and flourish.

Our Father walked in grace…

Our Mother showed us the way.

Visitation for Jane will be held at Lauterburg & Oehler Funeral Home (2000 East Northwest Highway, Arlington Heights, IL 60004)on Friday, August 28, 2026, from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at St Raymond of Peñafort Catholic Church (S Elmhurst Ave, Mount Prospect, IL 60056) on Saturday, August 29, 2026, at 10:00 am, with a committal service to immediately follow at All Saints Cemetery, (700 N River Rd, Des Plaines, IL 60016).

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to American Friends of Journey House Actions Rwanda (AFJHAR), supporting the feeding and education of children in Rwanda.