Community Corner
Jean Thuringer Day Celebrated in Shorewood
Rick Chapman, Mayor of Shorewood, declared January 25, 2020 as Jean Thuringer Day to celebrate the village's newest centenarian.
Jean Thuringer, a resident of The Timbers of Shorewood, turned 100 years old on January 25, 2020. Friends, family, and Timbers’ staff gathered for a gala celebration to honor the new centenarian at a party held at The Timbers, 1100 North River Road, Shorewood.
This remarkable woman worked in the chemistry department at the University of Chicago when, on December 2, 1942, the world’s first self-sustaining, controlled nuclear chain reaction took place. Under the direction of Enrico Fermi, the experiment happened underground beneath the bleachers of Stagg Field, ushering in the nuclear age.
“She said she knew that the experiment was history, but she didn’t realize the far-reaching impact,” said Candi Thuringer of Crest Hill, Jean’s daughter-in-law.
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Jean saw the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra perform with a new young man whose name was Frank Sinatra.
Jean is a legend at The Timbers. She is in great health, doesn’t use a walker, and solves three crossword puzzles a day. Living on the second floor, she always takes the stairs. She plays bridge, and she adores the Cubs. She does chair exercises every day.
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A highpoint for Jean was being crowned as Queen of the Senior Prom last June.
“She ate it up,” said Candi. “She absolutely loves The Timbers, and everyone is very good to her. Frankly, the staff is wonderful.”
A look back
Born in 1920 in Alabama, Jean Thuringer was six years old when the family moved to Kankakee. After high school, she attended University of Illinois followed by business school in Kankakee.
She met her future husband, Louis Thuringer, through a cousin, and the couple was married six months later in 1942. They had three children – Carol, David, and Joel. Today, Jean has six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Jean recalls her husband as a very patient man who did needlepoint and built models. They were married sixty years before Louis died in 2003.
She says her greatest accomplishments in life have been being a good mother and grandmother. She wants to be remembered for her warmth and friendliness.
Happy birthday, Jean Thuringer!
For more information, call 815-609-0669 or visit https://www.timbersofshorewood...