Jo Ellyn was born in Chicago IL on 5-31-68, and passed away peacefully with her family at her side on 9-1-22 after a long battle with ovarian cancer.
Jo Ellyn was a loving wife of husband James (Jim) Haros and mother of sons James and Nicholas, daughter of Kathleen King and sister to Will King. Jo Ellyn was preceded in death by her father William F King Jr., and in-laws James and Rose Haros.
Jo Ellyn was raised in Bolingbrook IL through her high school years, fully participating in band, theatre, and summer sport team activities. She graduated from Marquette University in 1990 with a degree in Public Relations and Marketing while working at the university TV station and other jobs expanding her knowledge of local businesses. She maintained many of the relationships she made from the 4 years spent in Milwaukee WI, a pattern she would continue throughout her life.
Her successful business career started with Group II Communications developing her skills in marketing, promotions and business development, first in WI then moving to the Oak Brook IL office. Throughout her global career she made friends around the world and remained in contact with them regardless of moving on to various companies and higher positions during her career. She was very proud of her ability to connect with clients, find solutions and deliver them on time, on budget.
Jo met her husband Jim in high school while both were performing in a musical theatre event and their friendship developed into a successful 25-year marriage with many adventures. Jo and Jim moved to London in 1995 and lived there for 3 years, seeing much of the UK and Europe and had many family and friends come to visit while they were there. She always kept her personal connections as the most important part of her life, and her legacy is one of openness, honesty and humor.
Jo donated her time and talents to her son’s sport teams, school events and band organizations. She participated in local fund raising events whenever the opportunity occurred. Her hobbies were morning walks, scrapbooking and hosting amazing parties. She was eager to travel and taught her sons the love of adventure.
After her diagnosis in 2011 she was determined to live life to the fullest and she definitely succeeded in that endeavor. Jo Ellyn was proud to participate in a clinical trial at the University of Chicago and the drug in the trial is now a ‘standard of care’ for all ovarian cancer patients, saving lives. In her last year Jo Ellyn searched for another clinical trial knowing that the results mainly benefit future patients. Through the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition Jo Ellyn recently spoke to Illinois members of Congress on the need for funding for research for a cure. Jo Ellyn’s final act of kindness was donating her corneas, she was a candidate and would be so pleased to know it will help someone else.
She never let her illness keep her from enjoying life and made sure that those around her were not affected by it. One of her final comments about cancer was patients need to “find their why” for living and never give up, remembering “the why” on the hard days. Her Why was her family, always foremost on her mind.
Jo Ellyn will be remembered for her sparkling personality full of energy, her great smile, her ability to laugh at herself and her warm and welcoming kindness, and her inclusiveness and empathy to everyone she met.
Visitation Saturday, October 8th, 9am until time of Memorial service at 12pm. Arrangements entrusted to Blake-Lamb Funeral Home, Lisle.
Please omit flowers.
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