Jenaeth Bronwen Higgins Markaj, age 47, died on Thursday, October 15, 2026. She was born June 4, 1979 in Athens, Ohio to Terry and Laurie Higgins. At age 2 1/2, her father's career took the family to Dallas, Texas, and then in 1983, the family moved to Deerfield, Illinois where Jenaeth grew up.

She attended Lake Forest College where she was awarded a four-year, full-tuition scholarship. She double-majored in English Literature and French Literature, and then received her master's degree in American Studies at the University of Amsterdam.

Jenaeth spent most of her professional life working in fundraising for non-profit organizations and was in the process of founding a non-profit that would connect artists to patrons. This project was a labor of love abruptly ended by her death.

Jenaeth was a talented pianist, fluent French-speaker, voracious reader, music lover, world traveler, and, most important, a Christian. She had a heart for the marginalized and mistreated, a wild imagination, and witty and whimsical sense of humor.

She is survived by her mother Laurie Higgins, her siblings Easten (Micah) Niphakis, John (Jillian) Higgins, and Emma (Robert) Morris; her nieces & nephews Marin, Jude, Briasson, Corin, Ella, Connor, Everett, Lola Bea, Welles, Lucy, and Isla.

She was preceded in death by her father Terry Higgins.

• ~ Visitation: 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. | Christ Presbyterian Church, 371 S. Schmale Road, Carol Stream, IL 60188
• ~ Funeral Service: 11:00 a.m. | Christ Presbyterian Church
• ~ Reception: Immediately following the service at the church
• ~ Interment: Following the reception at Glen Oak Cemetery, West Chicago, IL
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• For more information, please call Hultgren Funeral Home at 630-668-0027.