Jean Marie Harezlak

Jean Marie Harezlak, known for her love, friendship, and strength, passed away surrounded by family on December 5, 2024. She lived a life encouraging others to pursue their dreams, championing education and beauty in her community, and seeking opportunities to celebrate life's joys. She was an extraordinary mother and partner.

Born and raised into a loving family in Rockford, IL, on September 19, 1950, Jeannie was the daughter of Joseph and Mary Cacci, and younger sister to Judy Dempsey and John Cacci.

Her immediate family included Dennis Harezlak (husband and son of Walt and Irene), Ann (daughter), Tom (son), Graeme Hardy (son-in-law), Bethany Firnhaber (daughter-in-law) and her darling grandson, Jack Walter Harezlak. Surviving relatives include her sister Judy Dempsey (husband Pat), sister-in-law Kathy Ramsey (Harezlak) and brother-in-law Walter “Bud” Harezlak (wife Mary). Jeannie also cherished maintaining close relationships with her many wonderful nieces and nephews. 

Jeannie first met her beloved Dennis on September 10, 1967, and on their first date, they went to a dance at Boylan High School. They had been together for 58 years and married for 54 years.

Learning was a central, lifelong journey for Jean, and she achieved many notable accomplishments throughout her education and career. Jean earned a BA in Sociology and an MA in Special Education from Rockford College, followed by an Associate Doctorate in Special Education from Northern Illinois University. 

Jean began her career teaching special education at Peterson, Whitehead, and Fairview elementary schools, before becoming the principal of Whitehead/Vandercook Schools. She then served as the principal at Bloom Elementary, where her son was also a student. She went on to become the Assistant Director of Special Education in Rockford Public Schools, later advancing to the role of principal at Marquette Elementary School in Loves Park. Jean's career continued to flourish as she became the Director of Education in the Harlem School District and, ultimately, was appointed Superintendent of Schools in the Rockton School District. 

For several years after "retirement," she also taught special education classes at Rockford College/University and became the Director of the Special Education department at Rockford University. She was also a member of several local organizations, including a leadership group in Rockford 205 and the Rockford College Catholic Community Board. She later joined the Board at Klehm Arboretum where she served as president of the Board of Trustees. 

Jeannie was a wonderful mother and friend. This is especially exemplified in how she and her good buddies maintained a group over many years called SWAGS (the meaning of this acronym was always changing). They laughed, told beautiful stories, cooked gorgeous meals, and traveled together.

Jeannie loved to travel with Dennis and to be with her children, feeling most content when she had "everyone’s feet under the same table.” She relished family visits to London and Newcastle, England; Sicily and Modena, Italy; Stuttgart, Germany; and Honolulu and Kauai, Hawaii. She recently traveled numerous times to California to be with all her children and grandson.

Jeannie's strong will and passion for festive celebrations drove her to remain resilient and active despite the challenges posed by her diagnosis of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma 26 years ago, and later, Parkinson's disease. Her determination to live life to the fullest was greatly aided by a wonderful team of physicians, including doctors Harvey Einhorn, Rhonda Verzal, and Joseph Ross. A special thank you to her friends and family who assisted her during her final year of life, Ann Dempsey, Chelsea Keehnen, Kathy Ramsey, and Sue Haney. The family is also grateful to the wonderful caregivers Liliya McMillan and Uma Sereesen, who gave great care and love to our Jeannie.

Jeannie is fondly remembered for seeing potential in others and finding ways to convince them to pursue their dream. She lived her life like her favorite movie, “It’s a Wonderful Life.” And her life was truly a wonderful one. She is greatly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her.

A visitation for Jean will be held at Fitzgerald Funeral Home, 1860 S. Mulford Rd, Rockford, IL 61108 on Saturday, December 21, 2025, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Brief remarks by her family will take place beginning at 4:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please contribute to the construction of a special garden at Klehm Arboretum and Botanical Gardens in Rockford (www.Klehm.org), where the Board of Trustees has designated a special area directly across from the main building for a beautiful sundial and garden. This space will be named The Harezlak Family Garden in honor of Jean Harezlak. The dedication ceremony will take place in May 2025, and we look forward to inviting you all to join us in celebrating Jeannie's remarkable life.