Jessamine Lorraine (O'Neil) LaJeunesse

Jessamine LaJeunesse, 97, died of natural causes on July 23, 2019 in Long Grove, IL at the Avantara, a post-hospitalization/rehabilitation facility, where she had been a resident since 2013.

Jessamine Lorraine Voruz was born on Nov 20, 1921 near Highland, IL to Theordore A. Voruz and Jesse (Quinn/O’Neil) Voruz. She was the youngest of seven children — Cecil, Martin, Lewis, Ruth, Esther and Grace, who have all since passed.

Jessie attended 1 ½ years of high school, then in 1941 moved to a boarding school in Sycamore, IL to receive job skills training. She worked in factories during World War II. On Aug 29, 1943, she married Carl Buchhass. They had two children, Roger and Robert, and lived in the Chicago area for several years, as well as 2 ½ years in Palo Alto, CA. They divorced in 1960 and Jessie returned to Illinois with the two boys. She worked as a beautician for many years following.

On Aug 17, 1976 Jessie married Harold P LaJeunesse of Lombard, IL. The couple retired and moved to a new home in New Port Richey, FL in 1985. Harold suffered a broken hip and subsequently died of complications on April 4, 2005. In August of that year, Jessie sold the house and moved to Hoffman Estates, IL where she rented an apartment at the Devonshire assisted living facility. She remained there until 2013, when declining health required a move to the Avantara in Long Grove.

Jessie is survived by her sons, Roger Buchhass and Robert Beard; grandchildren, Curtis Beard and Brian Pummell; great granddaughter, Gabrielle Pummell; and great grandson, Finn Beard. She is further survived by her stepchildren, John LaJeunesse, Carol Miklusak and Rhonda Jaras.

No service is planned.  Per Jessie’s wishes, her body has been donated to the Anatomical Gift Association of Chicago.