Jamie Marie Burgess-Bentley

Jamie began her educational journey at St. Helena of the Cross School. She continued her catholic education at Mother McAuley Liberal Arts HIgh School. Here, she sang in the chorus, served as a class officer for the student council, managed the basketball team, and was an usherette for school productions. After her graduation in 1983, she became an active alumna and would eventually become part of the Mother’s Club when her daughter attended. She continued her education at Loyola University Chicago where she received her Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice in 1993. With her enduring love for education, she earned her Master of Science in Administration and Security at the University of Phoenix in 2012. Through her education, Jamie became a skillful writer and an avid reader.

Jamie met the love of her life Tony Bentley and they married on May 1,1998. From that union, they had a daughter, Tyler Briana, who she affectionately called “Peanut.” She was the light of their lives. After Tony’s passing in 2006, she fully embraced her new role as a single parent and the challenges she would encounter to make sure she could provide the best for her daughter.

Jamie began her professional career with Loyola University Chicago as an Administrative Assistant and Grant Secretary for 7 years. After leaving Loyola, she worked at Harris Bank as a Bank Officer (1993-2000). She spread her talents around various Sam’s Club locations as an Audit Team Lead,Technology Team Lead, Assistant Manager of Membership and Marketing,Tire and Battery Team Lead, Marketing Team Lead, and Database Coordinator (2002-2012). Through her training at UST Global in 2014, she found her last work home with True Value as a Business Support Specialist.

Jamie was a devout Catholic and attended St. Helena of the Cross Church during her childhood and most of her adulthood until it closed. While at St. Helena, she was involved with many aspects of her parish throughout the years. Initially a junior member, Jamie later served as president for the Altar and Rosary Society which annually held fashion shows and pilgrimages to Holy Hills. In 2008, she became a parishioner at St. Barnabas Catholic Church when she enrolled her daughter in their school.

Jamie was smart and knowledgeable in everything she worked at. She was a hard working, devoted, caring, and selfless person. She loved family time with her mother, sister, and daughter, being around her extended family and friends, going out with her girlfriends, traveling, cruising, trying new restaurants, going to the movies, playing video games, completing puzzle books, and watching football and basketball. She also loved gambling whether that be through lottery tickets or at the casinos in Las Vegas. She truly had a zest for life.

On the evening of Sunday, June 28, 2020, God called Jamie home. She was preceded in death by her husband Tony Bentley and father George Burgess.

In her passing, Jamie leaves to cherish her sweet memory and loving smile: her adoring daughter Tyler; devoted mother Claudia; her loving sister Veronica; several uncles; and a host of cousins and friends.