Jean Sides Obituary

Jean Christine Sides
Born: May 1, 1945 in Oak Park, IL
Died: July 5, 2022 in Downers Grove, IL
On Tuesday, July 5th, 2022, Jean Christine Sides, loving wife and mother of two children, passed away peacefully at age 77 surrounded by her family.
Jean was born on May 1, 1945, in Park Ridge, IL to William and Evelyn (Merritt) Powell. She graduated from Northern Illinois University in 1967, and taught English for many years. On June 22, 1968, she married Peter Lee Sides. They raised two daughters, Tracy and Ginger, and lived in Crystal Lake, IL for eight years and Downers Grove, IL for more than 40 years.
Jean had a passion for people and their well-being, especially family and friends. She loved being involved with her children's and grandchildren's lives. She also loved nature, whether gardening, vacationing at a lake, or visiting Morton Arboretum. She enjoyed getting involved – serving as a leader for youth groups at her church, Girl Scouts, PTA, neighborhood block parties, PEO, and coaching her daughters' softball teams. She loved to dance and sing, she loved to play games, and she loved to laugh. She was known for her kindness, her sense of humor, her Christmas cookies, and her compassionate spirit.
Jean was preceded in death by her father, William, and her mother, Evelyn. She is survived by her husband Peter, her two children, Tracy and Ginger, her sisters, Nancy and Bonnie, her brother, Ray, her grandson, Nathan, her step-granddaughter, Abby, her niece, Kristina, her nephews, Sean, Scott, and Dan, and many cousins. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, August 21st, 2022, at the First United Methodist Church of Park Ridge at 1 o'clock p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Morton Arboretum in honor of Jean Sides are requested (https://mortonarb.org/join-support/make-a-gift/tribute-gifts/).