Vail Daily obituary: Janice Kay ‘Jan’ Emmert, 1955-2016
Janice Kay ‘Jan’ Emmert, who led civic and philanthropic organizations died Saturday, July 30, at her home in Chicago. She was 61.
Upon graduating from the University of Illinois in 1977, where she was a member of Chi Omega fraternity, she joined Willis Towers Watson as an executive compensation professional. Jan began her lifelong commitment to philanthropic endeavors by joining the United Service Organization (the USO) of Illinois board of directors in 1984, where she held multiple leadership positions, including serving on the executive committee, gala co-chair and chairman of the board. In 2003, she was elected to the USO World Board of Governors, where she served in numerous capacities, including on the executive committee, was chair of the governance committee and was a member of the board delegation at the opening of the first USO facility in Iraq in 2008. She served on the advisory council of the Rocky Mountain USO.
Jan was a founding member of the Chicago Zoological Society’s Women’s Board, where she served as president, gala co-chair and served on the board of trustees. Jan was dedicated to the Children’s Home and Aid Society of Chicago, where she served as women’s board president and gala chair. She served on the Counselor Ball committee for the Illinois Institute of Technology, regional benefit chair of the Joffrey Ballet of Chicago, treasurer of 1418 North Lake Shore Drive Association and president of Meadow Ridge of Beaver Creek.
Jan received the USO of Illinois Ronald L. Friske Memorial Award, the United States Coast Guard Recognition of Outstanding Support and the Ronald Regan Achievement Award from her hometown of Dixon, Illinois.
Jan was born on Jan. 10, 1955, in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, the daughter of Jerald and Jacqueline Conroy. She married Michael P. Emmert, who survives her, on June 18, 1977, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Dixon. She is also survived by her son Phillip and his wife, Megan; sister Jeri Clemins; and brother John Conroy; along with nephews and nieces.
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Visitation will be from 3 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Adolf Funeral Home, 7000 S. Madison Ave., Willowbrook, Illinois. A Mass of Christian burial will be at 10 a.m. at St. Issac Jogues Catholic Church with Father De Salvo officiating, Hinsdale, Illinois, and burial at Bronswood Cemetery. A memorial has been established to the USO of Illinois. Visit usoofillinois.force.com/donate to donate under the “Honor/Memorial” drop-down menu. Please note “in honor of Jan Emmert.” For service information, call 630-325-2300 or visit http://www.adolfservices.com