Regina "Jean" Mondello

Regina J. Mondello, 92, formerly of Chicago, IL; Richmond, IL; and Prescott Valley, AZ, passed away on November 17, 2024, in Colorado Springs, CO. Regina “Jean” is survived by four children: Sam Jr. (Mary), Kathy, Mark, and Gina (Roger) Atnes; eight grandchildren: Joey, Jenny (Jeff) Evans, Johnny (Christina) Reilly, Nikki, Sarah (Jonathan) Bodnariuc, Mya, Regan, and Scout Atnes; and seven great-grandchildren: Mersai, Aiden, Iyla, Jack, Elowyn, Millie, and Maddie. Jean was preceded in death by her husband Samuel “Sam” and her daughter Antoinette “Toni.” Jean was born August 3, 1932, in Chicago, IL, to Bert and Bess Englert. She married Sam Mondello on December 2, 1950, while he was serving in the Air Force. She met Sam when she was just ten years old while attending Brentano grammar school. She knew then that one day she would marry him. They started a family in 1953 in Chicago. As their family grew, Jean took on a part-time job at Illinois Bell Telephone as a keypunch operator. Later she worked in the data processing department of St. Francis Hospital in Evanston, IL. Several years later she accepted the director of data processing position at St. Joseph Hospital in Chicago. In 1968, Jean and Sam acquired twenty acres of land in Suring, WI, along the Oconto River. They purchased a trailer, dug a well, bought three horses, built a small barn, and enjoyed many summers there with family and friends. In 1975, Jean and Sam decided to build a log home in the country. They found a beautiful seven-acre parcel of land in Richmond, IL. The home was built with the help of family and friends, and by Thanksgiving of 1976, it was completed. They celebrated the first of many Thanksgivings, Christmases, and other special days in that home. Jean was an excellent cook and on special occasions, with the help of her family, she arranged many large outdoor picnics in an area of the property rightly named the “Park.” Sam would handle the BBQ and Jean would prepare and carry large bountiful trays of family favorites from the kitchen to the Park in a golf cart. Jean and Sam belonged to a Model A car club named SCATS. They enjoyed motoring down the road in their “Tin Lizzie” with many other vintage cars in the club. They would drive to small towns in the area where they would stop for lunch and maybe have an ice-cream cone. Jean and Sam were also team leaders for Misericordia’s annual “Candy Days” drive, which supported children with disabilities. In 2003, Jean and Sam moved to Prescott Valley, AZ, where they enjoyed warmer weather, met new friends, and reminisced about old times. Jean was an active member in the Moose, an organization that aids children in need. Jean worked to increase membership, assisted in the publication of the newsletter, and participated in many other activities of the Moose. She was honored with a position in the highest level of the women’s branch, the “College of Regents.” She was very proud of her achievements but always kept the well-being of the children as her sole purpose for Moose membership. In December of 2021, Jean and Sam celebrated their 71st wedding anniversary. Jean’s dream as a young woman was to have a family and enjoy all the love, adventures, and excitement that family life had to offer. She most certainly lived her dreams . . . and more. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, June 13, 2025, at Ehorn-Adams Funeral Home, 10011 Main St., Richmond, IL. Mass of Resurrection will be at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 14, 2025, at St. Joseph Catholic Church: 10519 Main St., Richmond, IL. Burial will be at St. Joseph’s Cemetery immediately after church services. The cemetery is located five minutes north of the church, off Rt. 12 & N. Burlington Rd. For more information visit www.ehornadams.com or call 815 678-7311.

Regina "Jean" Mondello

August 3, 1932 - November 17, 2024