Jane Jane Scanlon of Chicago, IL has gone home, leaving behind a circle of those who loved her.
Here is what mattered, in the years between the dates.
Jane held deeply to the Catholic faith — and was, by all accounts, loved by those who knew her best.
Belief, when lived, becomes a kind of inheritance.
Jane Scanlon passed away peacefully on May 3, 2026, missing her goal of reaching 100 by just 2 ½ years. The second of six children, she was born October 14, 1928 in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Jane grew up in a time of economic insecurity and learned to be responsible and resourceful at a young age. These traits, as well as her intelligence and determination, would come to serve her well throughout her lifetime.
Jane met the love of her life, her husband Jack, when he was sent to the Army Navy Hospital in Hot Springs during WW2. After the war, they married and settled in Jack's home town, Chicago, where they raised two children, Patty and Mike. The Scanlons maintained their ties to Hot Springs, and Jane was loved and revered by her extensive family and her many nieces and nephews. Generous to a fault, Jane was always willing to give a helping hand when necessary. She had a quick wit and hilarious sense of humor and was a great source of practical advice.
A determined woman, Jane was hired as one of the first female commodity brokers at the Chicago Board of Trade in the 1970s, where she worked successfully for 17 years in a field long dominated by men.
In the early 1980s Jane and Jack decided to have their dream lake house built in beautiful Hot Springs Village, Arkansas. They planned their home in meticulous detail and Jane was thrilled to move back to the area she knew and loved. Jane's company opened a regional office that she managed in downtown Hot Springs until her retirement.
Always fashionable, Jane loved clothes and jewelry. She enjoyed shopping for unique items in stores, estate sales, and catalogues, and especially loved a good sale. Jane was a devoted animal lover and usually had one or two Yorkshire Terriers on her lap. (She loved to dress them up in little sweaters- whether they wanted her to or not!)
Jane was preceded in death by her husband, Jack Scanlon, her son, Michael Scanlon, and her son-in-law, Gene Litberg. She leaves behind her daughter, Patricia Litberg, and her daughter-in-law, Janet Scanlon, grandchildren Lisa, Abe, Cara, Kim and Michael, great-grandchildren Trevor, Japhin, Soraya, Quinn,and Sawyer, and many nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, a cause near and dear to Jane's heart.
Memorial will be held on Tuesday, May 12, from 4-8 pm at Smith Corcoran Funeral Home, 6150 N. Cicero, Chicago. A short service will be held at 6 pm. A Funeral Mass will be held at a future date at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Hot Springs Village, Arkansas. Interment will be at Morning Star Cemetery in Hot Springs, Arkansas. For info, 773-736-3833.
