Mary Jane Fudacz

Written by her daughter Ellen Coghlan

My Mother was born Mary Jane Dilger on October 31st, 1927. She grew up on the southside of Chicago in Little Flower Catholic Parish. Mary Jane attended Mercy High School and graduated in 1945. She then attended St. Francis College (known now as University of St. Francis). Mary Jane graduated with an honors degree in Science and Chemistry. She first worked as a scientist at Witco Chemical. Company and there she met Ted Fudacz her future husband. 

Mary Jane later took the Civil Service test and started working for The Department of Alcohol and Tobacco (Which is now The Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms). Their gigantic space was then housed in the old post office above Congress Street. She worked in their Tax Division which is part of The Treasury Department. She was the first women to hold a government position in this capacity. Yes, the first! Mary Jane was a true trailblazer. 

Mary Jane Dilger married Ted Fudacz on February 13, 1954 and she transitioned into a stay at home mom to take care of her growing family. After the birth of her sixth of seven children, she started to work one day a week at the Merchandise Mart under a successful drapery designer. She learned the trade and fell in love with it. Her new career as a drapery specialist was born and she continued to grow. She established her own business "Ms. Jayne Interiors" which she owned and operated for over 40 years! She, along with some assistance from all of her sons, whom she paid $10.00/hour to be an installers, has beautified hundreds of homes and businesses in the Chicagoland area. 

Today both Jane and Ted are 91 years old and have been living in the same house in Beverly since 1961. They are always hosting dinners and get togethers with family, friends and neighbors. Jane is also a Eucharistic Minister at St. Barnabas Church at which she attends every morning. Her faith, which she has passed on to us all, is never fading.

My whole family is blessed and thankful that Mary Jane Fudacz is in our lives. She is a mother, wife, aunt, grandmother, great grandmother, cousin, and mother-in-law. We all love her very much. The world is a much better place because of Jane Fudacz.