Jean Anne Maday, 47, passed away on January 11, 2020, in Chicago. Jean was born August 3, 1972, in Illinois, moving to Redding, Conn. in the seventh grade. After graduating from Joel Barlow High School she earned a Bachelor’s of Science, majoring in Communications, at the University of Connecticut.

She spent more than a decade working for the YMCA, from teaching swim lessons to marketing to developing membership. She loved the Y. For the last 12 years, she worked for the National Association of Realtors in Chicago, specializing in the Commercial Real Estate segment of the industry. In her management position, she was widely known and admired for her knowledgeable, energetic advocacy, and support for the highest standards of ethics and professionalism on behalf of Commercial Realtors nationwide.

She traveled throughout the United States and Europe meeting thousands of people, many who became close friends. Diagnosed with ovarian cancer 3½ years ago, she became an advocate for research in the field, and participated in numerous fundraising activities. She did not stop; she did not slow down. She lived. Her journey through chemo treatments was well documented in her Facebook postings. Her Aunt and Godmom Maryann Stinton and “Work Mom” Jan Hope, along with numerous friends, were by her side along the way.

Jean was predeceased by her father, Richard J. Maday, and is survived by her mother, Mary Maday of Sandy Hook; sisters, Karen (David) Smiley of Sandy Hook, Susan (Bill) Stewart of Sandy Hook, and Christine (Todd) Reisel of Bethlehem; and brother, Brian (Shelley) Maday of North Kingstown, R.I. In addition, she will be missed by her beloved nieces and nephews, Lauren, Andrew, Luke, Cameron, Dylan, and Charley.

Family will receive friends Tuesday, January 21, from 4 to 7 pm, at Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main Street, Newtown. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday, January 22, at 11 am, in St Rose of Lima Church, 46 Church Hill Road, Newtown. A private burial will be held at Umpawaug Cemetery in Redding, Conn. A Celebration of Life will be held in Chicago at a later date.

Jean felt strongly that more research was needed for ovarian cancer. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance at give.ocrahope.org/jeanmaday; National Ovarian Cancer Coalition at ovarian.org; and Gilda’s Club at gildasclubchicago.org.