Marcia Holden Jett, a 30 year resident of Wheaton, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 1, 2005 at the end of a five year battle with a benign but aggressive pituitary tumor. Up to the time of her death, she was able to maintain a high quality of life and to pursue her interests in her family, church and friends. She was 59 years old.
Marcia was born on November 29, 1945 in Cleveland, Ohio, the daughter of Robert J. Holden of Natick Massachusetts, a Unitarian Minister and Associate Dean of Students at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Ann Broadbent Holden of Cleveland, Ohio. She grew up and went through school in New Bedford and Natick, Massachusetts. She graduated from Mt. Holyoke College.
Marcia lived for four years in Cambridge where she worked at MIT. On October 23, 1971, she married Charles C. Jett at the Harvard Memorial Church, and the couple moved to Chicago in 1972 following Charlie's graduation from the Harvard Business School.
After living in Chicago for four years, Marcia and Charlie moved to Wheaton, Illinois where they lived in the same home until the time of her death. Together they raised two sons, Charles Holly and Christopher Holden Jett. Throughout their experience in the Wheaton Public Schools, Marcia was an active member of the Parent Teachers' Organization.
Marcia was a devoted wife, a loving mother, and a true friend to all whom she knew. She placed her family, her church, her friendships, new ideas and helping others as her top priorities. Known for her keen intelligence, positive outlook on life, friendliness, energy and enthusiasm, Marcia became a friend of nearly everyone who ever met her. She was an avid reader, with a love for genealogy, archeology and history. She loved being a member of AAUW, her breakfast group, her gourmet groups, her bridge group, and her book group. Marcia was a lifelong learner.
For the past 12 years, Marcia had been the Director of Religious Education for the DuPage Unitarian Universalist Church in Naperville, Illinois. There she developed, organized and administered religious education programs that will endure. She touched the lives of hundreds of children and was loved by all members of her church.
Marcia wished that after her death she would be an organ donor. That wish has now been fulfilled, and there are at least four people to whom she has given a gift of life.
Marcia is survived by her husband, Charlie (Wheaton, IL), her son and wife, Charlie and Wendy (Los Angeles, CA), Christopher (Wheaton, IL), her mother, Ann Holden (Needham, MA), and her brother and wife, John and Joan Holden (Alexandria, VA).
A memorial service to celebrate the life of Marcia will be held at 2:00PM on Saturday, July 23, 2005 at the DuPage Unitarian Universalist Church in Naperville, Illinois. (630- 505-9408)
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any contributions or gifts in her memory be made directly to the DuPage Unitarian Universalist Church, 4 S 535 Old Naperville Road, Naperville, IL 60563. Such donations should be designated for use in the building fund.
Information and guest book is available at hultgrenfh.com or call Hultgren Funeral Home at 630-668-0027.