Jane Smith

Jane Smith, 78, of Harlingen, TX, formerly of Harvard, IL, passed away peacefully on September 22, 2025. She was born on June 3, 1947, in New York City to the late Theodor and Mary (McGarry) Just.

Jane grew up in Oak Park, Illinois, and graduated from Oak Park / River Forest High School. She went on to earn her bachelor’s degree from Northern Illinois University in 1969, later completing a master’s degree in library science from NIU. On November 3, 1967, she married the love of her life, Ronald E. Smith, in Sycamore, Illinois.  

Jane dedicated her career to teaching second grade in District 47, teaching for 34 years. She had an amazing ability to remember her students’ names from years past and could recall them vividly with personal detail.  She delighted in their successes and cared for each of them deeply.  Her patience, kindness, and passion for teaching and learning touched countless young lives.

Jane will be remembered as a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and teacher. All those who knew her will recall her quick wit and sharp tongue, love of organization, and endless energy.  She embodied a strong work ethic and a fierce sense of doing the right thing even when it was difficult.  Her legacy of caring, commitment, love, and learning will live on in her family and all those who were fortunate to know her.  An avid golfer later in life, she often regaled her family with stories about her exploits on the links.  Her many other hobbies over the years included photography, macrame, making clothes, and of course, and perhaps most importantly, shopping and finding good bargains.

She is survived by her loving son, Matthew (Allison Sonneveld), and her cherished grandchildren, Kellan and Caroline. She is also survived by her sisters, Anne Just and Mary “Peg” Skinner. She was preceded in death by her husband, Staff Sgt. Ronald E. Smith, and her parents. She will be fondly remembered by her adopted Sonneveld Family, who welcomed her as one of their own from the very beginning—an honor she deeply cherished. She will likewise be remembered with love by her companion, Tim Thornblade of Harlingen, TX.

Visitation will be held on Monday, September 29th, from 2:00pm until 7:00pm at Saunders & McFarlin Funeral Home, 107 W. Sumner St., Harvard, IL 60033. Mass will be at 10:00am on Tuesday, September 30th, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 206 E. Front St., Harvard, IL 60033.  Burial will follow immediately at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made in Jane’s memory to the American Heart Association or the Field Museum (https://www.fieldmuseum.org/landing/join-give).    

Friends and family may sign the online guestbook at www.saundersmcfarlin.net.  Call Saunders & McFarlin Funeral Home for more information at 815-943-5400.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.