Jeanette Myra, a resident of Wheaton, passed away on Saturday, August 3, 2024, at her home. She was born February 6, 1945 in Janesville, Wisconsin, to William & Marion Austin.

Jeanette grew up on a dairy farm with her loving and supportive parents where she milked cows and threw bales of hay. With the last name of Austin, she attended a one-room schoolhouse named Austin School on Austin Road with Austin cousins. Later at Janesville High School she was active in school plays, 4H and YFC, and with her family, she worshipped in a little Wesleyan Methodist church her parents helped found.

After high school, as a student nurse in Chicago, Jeanette was nicknamed "Little Miss Sunshine," and it was then she started dating Harold Myra. They were married May 7, 1966. She then worked as an RN at Central DuPage Hospital for nine years. She volunteered at Head Start in Chicago and Marklund, a facility for children with severe disabilities.

Their first child, Michelle, was born the day the first man was on the moon, and later came Todd and Greg. She loved being pregnant and loved babies. Throughout her life everyone knew if a baby was in the room, it would soon be in her arms.

Jeanette's book (with Harold) Surprised by Children describes her concerns for disadvantaged children and the story of their becoming foster parents. That led to their adopting three black children: Rick, Joshua and Lindsey.

In the process a wise black man asked them, "Who are you, that you think you can adopt a black child?" It was a relevant question, for transracial adoption has significant downsides. Yet they were strongly supported by their black social worker and over the years poured their love and care into each of their six children.

On Lindsey's 12th birthday in 2004, Jeanette at 1:30 a.m. heard smoke alarms blaring. Lightning had struck and burned down their house. Everyone safely escaped and for nine months the family lived in a rental house as Jeanette dealt with school issues and countless details of rebuilding the house. Friends, neighbors and church members showered them with help and loving concern so that Jeanette said often about the fire experience, "We were loved."

Her husband says of her, "I married a remarkable, resilient woman. Twenty years ago, she was diagnosed with Sjogren's that dries out her eyes and mouth and attacks her vital organs, yet sipping water and living out her faith, she kept her positive spirit that gave her the 'Little Miss Sunshine' nickname. She kept spreading her sunshine and love throughout her life."

She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Harold; her sister, Marita Wilkins; her children Michelle (Andrew) Wilson, Todd (Lisa) Myra, Greg (Jessica) Myra, Rick (Alia) Myra, Joshua Myra & Lindsey Myra; and her grandchildren Madeleine, Alexander, Kaitlyn, Svea, Corinna, Soren, Brennen, Leif, Liliana, Raxa, and Amma.

A visitation will be held at Hultgren Funeral Home, 304 N. Main St., Wheaton, IL 60187 on Friday, August 9, 2024 from 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.  A memorial service will be held Immanuel Presbyterian Church, 29W260 Batavia Rd., Warrenville, IL 60555, on Saturday, August 10, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. The service will be live streamed through this link: https://www.youtube.com/live/IaWXvs4HB3o Interment will be private at Wheaton Cemetery.

Family and friends may sign a guest book at hultgrenfh.com. For more information, please call Hultgren Funeral Home at 630-668-0027 .