Janice Marie Stuart, age 71, of Morrison, IL, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 15, 2026.
A woman of unwavering strength and a generous spirit, Jan spent her life nurturing others and finding profound beauty in life’s simplest moments.
Born in Erie, IL, to the late John Lourde and Margaret (Jaeques) McKenna, Jan followed a calling to care for others. She attended the Moline, IL, Public School of Nursing and dedicated many years to her career as a Nurse in various hospitals and nursing homes. From these years of service, she made many deep and lasting friendships. While her professional skills were vast, her true passion was found in the laughter of children. Whether through her home daycare or her work at the YWCA, Jan had a special gift for connecting with, and caring for, children with special needs.
Jan’s home was a sanctuary of growth and warmth. She and her husband, Roger, shared a legendary green thumb, spending countless hours together landscaping their yard or tending to plants in their home greenhouse. For Jan, a perfect afternoon was simple: “a good book, a cup of coffee, and maybe a cinnamon roll.” She was a master of conversation, a skilled creator of crocheted blankets, and a loyal fan of the Chicago Cubs and Chicago Bears. Above all, she was a listener, always ready with a helping hand or an ear for a friend.
Her legacy lives on through her family. She is survived by her devoted husband, Roger Stuart; children, Bradley Stuart of Morrison, Scott (Chelsea) Stuart of Morrison, and LeAnn (TJ) Goebig of St. Charles, IL; beloved grandchildren, Luca Gallo, and Zoey, Millie, and Ryker Stuart. She will also be missed by her sisters, Carol (Roger) Stanfield of Morrison and Christine McKenna of Erie; her brothers, Larry McKenna of Erie, IL, Edward (Jodie) McKenna of Willoughby Hills, OH, and Michael (Jennie) McKenna of Eldridge, IA.
There will be no Visitation or Funeral Service.
Cremation rites have been accorded.
A private Graveside Service will be held. The Morrison Chapel of the Bosma-Renkes Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
A Celebration of Life will be held on what would have been Jan’s 72nd Birthday, Saturday, May 30, 2026, at the Morrison Community Room (inside Odell Public Library), 307 S. Madison Street, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
In honor of Jan’s lifelong devotion to her community, her family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Friends of the Parks Foundation: https://www.morrisonfotp.org.