Kenmar Jauss Obituary

I've know Kenmar since we were wee toddlers in Skokie/Niles Center and we were fast friends 'til our parents' jobs took us off to parts unknown -
our parents moved (together that is) and we
had no choice but to go with them and though we tried to keep in touch it wasn't easy. and we couldn't keep in touch as much as I would have liked.

Dear Bill,

A fellow Medill grad and Wilmette neighbor, I didn't know Mrs. Jauss but reading her obituary tonight in the June 3 issue of the WILMETTE LIFE certainly led me to wish that I HAD. (Old reporters can never part with an unread newspaper even though it's two weeks old and the recycle truck arrives in the morning, right?).

We met briefly maybe 12-14 years ago when Lynn Slovonsky was here for NU Homecoming and dragged me to a brunch of sorts in a tent before the Homecoming game. Maybe it was a Medill anniversary, too? And I remember the wonderful brownies. And of course, I've always enjoyed reading your work, Bill.

My thoughts are with you now and I hope you are managing as everyone goes on with their lives and you are on your own and wondering how it will be.

The two best pieces of advice I received were 1) Just start out by putting one foot in front of the other. Some days that is all you can do. Just do it. And do it again every time you get stuck. One foot.
2) We all make some accomodation to our partners over a lifetime. Perhaps we sacrifice important things, perhaps just a few little ones. But we all do it. There are things we may hardly know we really do miss. When you have time some day, think for a bit about something that USED TO BE important or fun or personally fulfilling in your life, something just yours, something that has disappeared along the way from childhood or teen years to now, and go back to that food or activity or friend or musical instrument or whatever it was, and let it fill some of those empty spaces for you.

For me, it was classical music and I became a season subscriber to the opera and the symphony and Music of the Baroque and everything I thought I could enjoy again ... and I just loved it, got involved as a volunteer, too. And then there were classes and seminar days at NU, and renewing friendships with Northwestern friends. Then NU basketball, how I had loved basketball all my single days! Yet we lived six blocks from McGaw Hall and I hadn't been able to get there for more than 30 years! And then NU football, we hadn't had season tickets since the first baby was born and a young quarterback named Tom Meyers was connecting on all those beautiful passes.

And so I have "treated" myself, and you must do that now, too, Bill. It helps us to be in different places and doing different things -- where one is not always just expecting that familiar arm on yours any minute now, or that word in your ear -- but you are getting on and managing. We can't know when our day will come, but we can fill the days that we do have with activities and people and new ideas and those things forgotten that can keep us going and having fun and learning new things -- and that is my wish for you, too, tonight -- with my deepest gratitude to the man who suggested it to me so many years ago, and with profound sorrow for your loss now.

Hang in there!

Most sincerely,
Marty Costello Shelly

Bill and Family,
I just heard about the passing of your wonderful wife and mother. She was a character and I remember her many kindnesses and brownies. She and our dad are probably discussing the Blackhawks pursuit of The Cup with great gusto.
Love to you,
Jeanine Gleason Ranzen

Kenny was personally responsible for adding several inches to my waistline with her tremendous brownies on set of The SportsWriters. She was a strong woman with smart, strong opinions. She and Bill made an unforgettable Chicago team and she will be missed by all who knew her. Things are going to be a little boring for a while.

Bill Jauss was a favorite and frequent contributor on Wally Phillips WGN Radio show. I loved those mornings when Bill would go on air, because it meant spending a few
minutes talking with Kenny before Bill would take the phone. She was informative, and extremely helpful with ideas and suggestions that we could utilize on the program. I always appreciated the way she shared her thoughts! Kenny became a phone friend who was both knowledgeable and lots of fun to talk with.

Marilyn Miller

I got to know Kenmar while sitting in the stands at DePaul women's basketball games. She was so
friendly and funny. I got a huge kick out of the fact that she referred to her husband as "Jaussie" -- just like the Sportswriters on TV. Such a sweet lady.

John McHugh
Green Oaks, Illinois

Bill and Family,
On behalf of Northern Illinois Athletics, please accept our deepest condolences on the loss of Kenmar. So many people at NIU have great memories of the Jauss' together during and after games. Know that you are in the thoughts and prayers of many of us here in DeKalb.

When I think of Kenmar and Bill Jauss, the Beatles' "When I'm 64" comes to mind. What an unforgettable couple. Over the many decades, Kenmar was a regular at press row or in the press box. She knew the media game better than most. Our student workers loved her (and the brownies), plus her wisdom, dry sense of humor, and love of collegiate athletics. Our condolences to Bill, the Jauss family, and many, many friends.

The press box was always a better (and more fun) place to be when Mrs. Jauss was there. Everyone knew the Jausses were a team! To a beautiful life.

Bill and Jauss family: We are all deeply saddened by your loss!!! Kenmar was great to all of us and great for all of us at Loyola, DePaul and The Chicago Hustle!!! She was always a joy to be with pre, post and post post game!!! Yours in remembering 'The Great Times', Douglas and Patty Bruno

Bill: Kenmar's passing saddened all of us who knew her. Witty, strong-willed, tough, she was an inspiration. Please let me know if there's anything I can do to help.