Jean Essary, 85, longtime resident of Dolton, Illinois, is survived by nieces Antoinette (Dan) Zorich, Lynn (Lance) Natonski; nephews James (Elaine), Keith (Margaret) and Mark (Kathleen) Essary; many adoring great nieces and nephews. Ms. Essary was preceded in death by her brother James, his wife Alice, nephew Rick, her father Charles and mother, Emma Lofftus Essary. Ms. Essary’s distinguished and decorated military career included the U.S. Army (1944 – 1946), U.S. Air Force (1949 – 1953) and more than 20 year on the U.S. Army Reserve. Ms. Essary earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from the division of Special Services for War Veterans at University of Illinois in 1954, and a Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts and Sciences in 1984. She was awarded a Juris Doctor in 1970 from John Marshall Law School, and received a Master’s of Science degree from Northern Illinois University in 1990. A devoted civil servant, Ms. Essary had a long career as a Cook County Public Defender beginning in 1971, and was previously employed by the Social Security Administration and the Internal Revenue Service. Ms. Essary was also a real estate broker. A true renaissance woman, she loved to travel, was fluent in several languages, and remained active into her senior years enjoying skiing, scuba diving, photography and geology. In memorial, donations may be made to the Illinois Veteran’s Home in Manteno. Visitation will be at Opyt Funeral Home,13350 Baltimore Avenue, Chicago, on Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m.
