Cover photo for Jean Marie Harezlak's Obituary
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1950 Jean M. Harezlak 2024

Jean Marie Harezlak

September 19, 1950 — October 5, 2024

Rockford

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, seeking opportunities to celebrate life's joys, and being an amazing mother and spouse.

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

Her immediate family included Dennis Harezlak (husband), Ann (daughter), Tom (son), Graeme (son-in-law), Bethany (daughter-in-law) and her darling grandson, Jack Walter. Surviving relatives include her sister Judy (husband Pat Dempsey) and sister-in-law, Kathy Ramsey (Harezlak). 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 have 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. She began her career teaching special education at Peterson, Whitehead, and Fairview elementary schools, before becoming the principal of Whitehead/Vandercook Schools. Jean 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 then became the Director of the Special Education department at Rockford University. She was also a member of several 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 became president of the Board of Trustees. 

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

Jeannie certainly loved to travel with Dennis and to be with her children, feeling most content when she had "everyone’s feet under the table”. She relished the family visits to London and Newcastle, England and Modena, Italy and Stuttgart, Germany and Honolulu and Kauai, Hawaii. Recently there were numerous trips to California to be with all her children. 

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 twenty-six 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 who assisted her during her final year of life, Ann Dempsey, Chelsea Keehnen, Kathy Ramsey, and Sue Haney.

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

A visitation for Jean will be held at Fitzgerlad 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 from 4:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please contribute to the construction of a special garden at Klehm Arboretum and Botanical Gardens at 2715 S Main St, Rockford, IL 61102.


The Board of Trustees has designated a special area directly across from the main building at Klehm Arboretum 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.

To order memorial trees in memory of Jean Marie Harezlak, please visit our tree store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Celebration of Life

Saturday, December 21, 2024

2:00 - 5:00 pm (Central time)

Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory - Mulford

1860 S Mulford Rd, Rockford, IL 61108

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