Jennifer A. Colarusso (1963-2022)

COLARUSSO, WICH, KERRIGAN

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 2/21/2022 at 11:03:40

Funeral services and a Memorial Mass for Jennifer A. Colarusso, 58, of Bettendorf, will be held at 10am on Friday, February 25, 2022 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, Davenport. The family will greet friends from 5-8pm Thursday at the Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home, Davenport. Additionally, there will be a time of sharing on Thursday starting at 6:30pm at the funeral home. The Mass and time of sharing will be livestreamed and may be viewed by visiting Jennifer’s obituary at www.hmdfuneralhome.com. Memorials may be made to the family for future dedication.

Mrs. Colarusso passed away suddenly on February 13, 2022 at her home after a battle with an extended illness.

Jennifer Ann Wich was born on her father’s birthday, October 16, 1963, in Davenport, to Robert and Mary Jane Wich (nee Kerrigan). As a child, she attended Eisenhower Elementary and St. Paul the Apostle Catholic School. She graduated from Assumption High School, Class of 1982. While working full time, she attended 10 years of night classes at St. Ambrose University to earn her bachelor’s degree in business in 1992.

She met her husband Joseph “Joe” Colarusso while they were both working at the Rock Island Arsenal, and they were married on February 16, 1992. Jennifer stayed at home to raise her two girls, Jori and Jacqueline. She loved being a mom more than anything, absolutely adored her girls, and was immensely proud of them. Many people looked up to her as a mother.

Jennifer’s passion for mothering extended beyond her own children. She worked as a paraeducator, lunchroom monitor, and substitute teacher for Bettendorf Elementary Schools, primarily at Paul Norton, where she was lovingly known as “Mrs. C.” She touched the lives of countless children, and it brought her great joy.

Jennifer spent much of her time helping people and was the family caregiver. She was very caring and generous, and she always put others before herself. She loved caring for animals, especially the many pets she had throughout her life, and even considered becoming a veterinarian. She also liked to travel, loved being in the sun, enjoyed gardening, loved to dance, excelled at baking, and was an avid runner. She was extremely proud of her Irish heritage and held tightly to her faith in God.

Those left to carry her memory include her loving husband of 30 years, Joe of Bettendorf; daughters Jori (fiancé James Larew) Colarusso and Jacqueline Colarusso, all of Chicago; sisters Christine (Charles) Kittrell of Newport Beach, CA, Teri Jo Brown of Eldridge, Michelle McCray of Davenport; brother Dan (Geri) Wich of Davenport; brother-in-law Doug Brown of Davenport; uncle Richard (Helen Delacluyse) Kerrigan of Rock Island; several nieces, nephews, and cousins; and countless close friends.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to all the medical professionals that assisted Jennifer throughout her illness.