Jeanette "Jan" M. Galatte

Jeanette “Jan” Marie Galatte

Jeanette “Jan” Marie Galatte, 87, of Palos Hills, passed away peacefully on September 11, 2025.

Born in Chicago on September 15, 1937, to the late Emily (née Wegzryn) and Pasquale Notorleva, Jan attended Lourdes High School. She was active as a singer in the St. Rita jazz band, where she met her former husband, Nicholas Galatte.

In her early years, Jan owned and directed Jan Marie Studios in Chicago, where she taught dance and was a member of the Dance Masters Association, teaching and leading master classes throughout the city. She later worked as a secretary at a law firm and at Midway Airport before finding her true calling as a piano teacher, sharing her love of music with countless students, both children and adults.

Jan’s greatest joy was her family. As a devoted single mother, she was always present in her daughters’ and grandchildren’s lives. She also gave her time and talents to her parish, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, where she was an active member of the Senior Fun Club and the Prayer Shawl Club. A highlight of her parish life was meeting Cardinal George, a memory she cherished deeply.

She is survived by her three daughters, Gail (James) Howard of Barrington; Lynne (Dan) Budig of LaPorte, IN; and Lisa (Tim) Kuban of Hickory Hills; 10 grandchildren, Elizabeth (Matthew) Piriczky of Fox River Grove, IL; Kristina (Douglas) Meyer; Melissa (Thomas) Bullen; Nicholas (Janelle) Howard, all of Barrington, IL; Allison Howard (and fiancé Hans Pallan) of Chicago, IL; William, Michael, and Andrew Budig of LaPorte, IN; and Matthew and Jeanette Kuban of Hickory Hills, IL; and nine great-grandchildren. She will also be lovingly remembered by her many nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends. Jan was preceded in death by her sister, Christine (Hank) Zwartz, and her former in-laws, Helen and Joseph Galatte.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, September 16, at 9:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Palos Hills, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. Entombment will take place at Good Shepherd Catholic Cemetery in Orland Park.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jan’s memory to the American Cancer Society.