Jean Lois Bianchi, 82, of Estero, FL, passed away after a short illness at Balmoral Care Center, Lake Forest, IL, on Wednesday, January 2, 2019, with her loving family by her side.
Born on July 28, 1936 in DePere, WI, she was the daughter of Garnet and Effie (Morsette) Baril. As a young child, she came to Kenosha and was raised by her uncle Clifford, and aunt Eva Baril.
Jean attended local schools and graduated from Mary D. Bradford High School in 1954.
On April 24, 1957, she was united in marriage to Stewart Bianchi at St. James Catholic Church.
She was employed in the accounting department with the American Brass Company from 1954-1957 and later in the purchasing department at St. Catherine's Hospital from 1969-1971. While residing in Kenosha she was active in Kenosha Homemakers and St. Catherine's Hospital Auxiliary and a member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church and Saint Mary's Catholic Church.
After Stewart's retirement in 1997, they resided in Estero, FL and spent the summer months in Lake Geneva, WI. Jean was very active, athletically gifted and loved to play tennis and golf while she was an active member at Kenosha Country Club, and later at The Vines Country Club and Raptor Bay Golf Club in Estero, FL where, during that time, her pure golf swing delivered a magnificent and memorable hole in one. She loved her life in Florida dearly, and her greatest joy was entertaining family and friends. She truly earned a reputation as an outstanding hostess and cook, outdoing herself each time she presented her guests with her famed Italian style meals. Both she and Stewart were avid travelers, and all together visited 25 countries around the world; with her favorite adventure being a safari to Kenya, Africa in addition to their many visits to Tuscany, Italy visiting their daughter Karen and extended family.
Jean was a dedicated mother and grandmother. She treasured her family and grandchildren and embraced every moment with them. She made friends everywhere she went.
Jean is survived by her husband, Stewart, of Estero, FL; children, Michael (Vicki Stouffer) of Phoenix, AZ; Kim (John Lample) of Libertyville, IL; Karen Bianchi of Parma, Italy; along with grandchildren, Christopher Lample, of Berlin, Germany; and Katherine Lample, of Philadelphia, PA. She is also survived by her sisters Joan Clark, of DePere, WI; and Phyllis (Michael) Stiles of Green Bay, WI.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers Russell, Leland, Raymond, and Harley; and sister, Janet Prishman.
A special thank you from the family to the staff at Balmoral Care Center of Lake Forest, IL, Journey Care Hospice and Dr. David Slivnick for their compassion and care for Jean.
Visitation will be held at Proko Funeral Home on Monday, January 7, from 5:00PM until the time of the memorial service at 7:00PM. A private interment will take place at All Saints Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Kenosha Achievement Center would be appreciated by the family.