Jennifer Zajda

Jennifer Lynn Zajda, 44, passed away on Sunday, December 12, 2021, at Rush University Medical Center, after a short but courageous battle with non-Hodgkins lymphoma. Born on October 25, 1977, Jenni was a lifelong resident of Cicero, IL, and member of Our Lady of Charity Catholic Church. She graduated from Nazareth Academy in LaGrange in 1995, attended Morton College, and graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Elmhurst College in 1999. Jenni then followed her life’s passion of caring for animals and attended the Veterinary Technology Program at Parkland College in Champaign, becoming a Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT) in 2004. She was so happy to be working among her loved and respected peers at Merrick Animal Hospital in Brookfield. Jenni was a die-hard Cubs and Packers fan. She loved movies and celebrating the Oscars, throwing a red-carpet party each year. Jennifer is survived by her beloved parents Edward and Susan, her treasured cats Trouble and Nugget, her godparents Patricia and Thomas Svoboda, her cousin Linda Helgeson and family, and her lifelong friends Mary and Dawn and their families. She was preceded in death by her grandparents Edward and Lillian Zajda, and Steve and Ann Marusic. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the 2nd Chance Animal Shelter, Attn: Doug and Wanda McGee, 130 County Road 398, Boaz, AL 35957. Funeral Mass Monday, December 20, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. Our Lady Of Charity Church, Cicero, IL Interment, Resurrection Cemetery in Justice, Illinois. In-lieu of flowers, please send a donation to: Second Chance Shelter, Attention Doug and Wanda McGee 130 County Rd. 398 Boaz, AL 35957 256-561-2411 For more information please call The Sourek Manor Funeral Home at 708-652-6661.