Jennifer Sue Cortinas

Jennifer Sue (Dodge) Cortinas was born in Galena, Illinois, on 4 March, 1965, to Richard and Mary Louise (Legault) Dodge. The youngest of six sisters, Jennifer was adored, played with, and watched over by these loving siblings. She departed this life on 6 April, 2025, in Dayton, Ohio.

Jennifer married Mark Cortinas in Virginia, on 14 February, 1988. They had two beautiful children whom they raised together, Marco and Tasha.

Jenni was a loving and loyal wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and friend. In addition to raising her children, and working with her husband in the bookkeeping for his construction business, Jenni enjoyed making stained glass art, sewing, and quilting. She painted murals, and enjoyed beautifying her surroundings. Jenni is remembered for her warm and loving nature, her kind and gentle soul, infectious laugh, and love and loyalty to her family.

She leaves behind her children, Marco and Tasha (Eric Valadez), grandson Jordyn, and her mother, Mary Louise Dodge. Her sisters, Peggy Sloan (Steve Roberts), of St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands; Catherine (Gene) Basten, Dubuque, Iowa; Barbara Dodge, Albuquerque, New Mexico; Laura Dodge, San Ramon, California; and Elizabeth (James) McGuffey, late of Bluffton, South Carolina, also remain to cherish Jenni’s memory. She is further survived by numerous affectionate nieces and nephews, including Bridgette (John Wheeler) Sloan, who was almost like a sister to her. Jenni’s friends, particularly members of the Galena High School Class of 1983, remember her with fondness, and gratitude for her friendship.

Jenni was predeceased by her husband, Mark, her father, and three nieces.

The world was a better place because Jenni was in it.