Janet F. McEwen

Janet F. McEwen (née Mathews) of Ingleside, Illinois, passed away peacefully on September 27, 2026 under the loving care of her family. She was born in Jackson, Michigan on March 9, 1950. She leaves behind Richard McEwen, her husband of 52 years, as well as their nine children: Betsy (Heron) Rodriguez, Julie (John) White, Katie (Mike) White, Pat (Madeleine) McEwen, Molly (Robert) Feind, Bridget (Tyler) Bence, Sheila (Gabriel) Paris, Maureen (Rich) Raffin, and Michael (Katie) McEwen. She is the loving grandmother of 58 grandchildren: Lucia, Maria, Javi, Adela, Valeria, Elena, Charlie, Sofia, Clara, Francesca, Peter, Mary, Anna, Alice, Eddie, Jake, Tess, Max, Gabe, Gigi, Frank, Joe, Greg, Rory, Mary Claire, Sarah, John, Teddy, Therese, Moira, Patrick, Robbie, Ceddie, Emmet, Patrick, Daphne, Georgia, Davy, Adeline, Agnes, Tony, Giorgi, Nico, Helen, Benny, Isa, Martha, Richie, Linus, Gus, Edith, Nora, Christine, Michael, and Daniel, and four more on the way. She was preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Blanche Mathews, her baby brother, Joseph Edward, her godfather, Edward Lapinski, and her godmother, Helen Okoniewski. She is survived by her brother Nate (Nora) and sisters, Marie and Bernie Mathews.

Janet graduated from St. John’s High School in Jackson, Michigan in 1968 and earned a B.S. in Mathematics from Michigan Technological University in 1972. While at Michigan Tech, she met Rich, earned her endearing nickname Smokie, and was a member of the sorority Theta Chi Epsilon.

Janet and Rich married at St. John’s Catholic Church in Jackson, Michigan on April 6, 1974, and moved to Clovis, New Mexico, where Janet taught math and welcomed their first daughter. In 1978 they moved to Ingleside, Illinois, and over the years welcomed eight more children into the McEwen clan.

Janet’s Catholic faith was the unwavering foundation of her life and was central to the way she loved her family, taught her students, and served those around her. Guided by a constant devotion to St. Josemaria Escriva and Blessed Alvaro del Portillo, she approached each day with a spirit of profound peace and joy. Janet poured her life into loving and serving others. She gave her time, love, and wisdom teaching math, theology, and science at the Willows Academy for fifteen years and taught religious education at her local parishes. She volunteered for many years at Lake County Right to Life, Catholic Charities, Meals on Wheels, and Eldercare. For Janet, her work was not simply something she did; it was her way of life, her vocation. She seamlessly incorporated her charitable work with her family life, teaching the value of service and generosity to her children and grandchildren. Whether she was organizing rose sales for Right to Life, teaching theology, tutoring children, volunteering, caring for her children and grandchildren, or helping friends, she brought the same gift to everything she did: the quiet joy of loving God and making that known through ordinary work with laughter, generosity, and a deep and abiding trust in Our Lord. Always following Our Lady’s example, she encouraged her family, friends, and students to pray, work hard, and forever trust in God’s plan.

Janet was a gift to others. Following her example of joyful service, Janet’s family treasured the opportunity and privilege to care for her after her diagnosis of Alzheimer’s.

Janet attended daily Mass, received the Eucharist, and prayed the Rosary every day. Hand in hand with her husband Rich, she remained infectiously happy, bringing joy everywhere she went, especially amidst her beloved grandchildren. She truly exemplified the virtues of fidelity, peace, humility, and generosity. She will be remembered for her brilliance in math and science, her love of literature and reading to her grandchildren, her appreciation for music, and the fact that she was always picked first for Trivial Pursuit. Janet will be missed for her beautiful smile, her profound wisdom, her selflessness, and ultimately for her love.

Remarkably, the day Janet passed was also the anniversary of Blessed Don Alvaro del Portillo’s Beatification, which she attended in Madrid, 2014. Please join us in continuing her devotion to this beloved engineer and priest.

Blessed Don Alvaro and St. Josemaria, Pray for us!

Holy Mary, Our Hope, Handmaid of the Lord, Pray for us!

A visitation will be held at Strang Funeral Chapel, 410 E Belvidere Road, Grayslake, Illinois on Wednesday, October 7, 2026 from 3pm until 8pm; Holy Rosary at 7pm. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Our Lady of the Lakes St. Bede Catholic Church, 36455 N Wilson Road, Ingleside, Illinois at 10am on Thursday, October 8, 2026. In lieu of flowers, contributions to support the Willows Academy Endowment Fund or Lake County Right to Life would be greatly appreciated.