:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/shawmedia/UWZ355COGKJK6RNX4YN4SMQOZE.jpg)
CHICAGO – Jenny Rebecca Schwab, 47, formerly of Sterling, died in Chicago on January 15, 2020, after a long struggle with Anorexia Nervosa.
Jenny was born January 3, 1973, in Ottawa, IL, the daughter of Tom and Sherry Schwab. She began competitive running at the age of 8 with the Sterling Park District Track Club. She graduated from Sterling High School as a three-sport letterman, setting a number of records in track and cross country. She accepted an athletic scholarship to the University of Illinois and graduated with a degree in Kinesiology. In addition to multiple George Huff Awards in recognition of outstanding scholastic achievement while earning multiple varsity letters in track and cross country, and the Avery Brundage scholarship, she was Dean’s listed and honored for achieving the highest grade point average of all U of I athletes during her sophomore year. Jenny was awarded outstanding female junior scholar and named to the Academic All-Big Ten Conference. Jenny completed her Master of Education degree at De Paul University in Chicago. After her collegiate carrier, she competed in both national and international short distance and marathon running events, including representing the United States in the Japan Sea Rim Ekiden Marathon Relay. Jenny taught Biology and other science subjects at Chicago Public High Schools.
Survivors include her mother of Oakbrook Terrace, IL, and her father (who passed away suddenly, approximately at the time of Jenny’s death) of Sterling; her brothers, Brett (Tracey) of Downers Grove, IL, and Ryan of Phoenix, AZ; uncle, Ron (Marella) Dooley of Ft. Lauderdale, FL; aunt, Sheila (Harold) Martin of Jacksonville, FL; nieces, Emily and Kaitlyn; nephew, Luke of Downers Grove, IL; and numerous cousins.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Leonard and Esther Schwab of Rock Falls, George and Chrystine Steltzer of Sabula, Iowa; and cousin, Ronnie Dooley of Pickerington, Ohio.
Dual visitation for both Jenny and Tom will be at Schilling Funeral Home in Sterling on Saturday, February 1, 2020 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., followed by a memorial service with Pastor Dalmus Meeks, officiating. Burial will take place at Riverside Cemetery, Sterling.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to ANAD-National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associate Disorders Foundation or Sterling High School Athletic Department.
Condolences may be sent to www.schillingfuneralhome.com.