Jennie Marie Orender 71, of Granite City, IL, passed away peacefully at Gateway Regional Medical Center Tuesday, August 4th, 2026.
She was born to Margaret McDonald on May 10th, 1955 at the same hospital, then known as St. Elizabeth.
Jennie was known for her collection of bears. She loved bears of all types and it made it easy for holidays to gift her what she adored. Jennie always worked hard and loved to sell things, from insurance to swimming pools and everything in between and she cherished everyone she met along the way. She loved to give and take care of everyone, always being the favorite sister and favorite aunt to all who loved her.
She is survived by the one she has called “son” Michael Paul Smith Jr. who resided with her in Granite City, IL.: Three sisters Cynthia (Duncan) Conley of Livingston, TX., Nina (Duncan) & Elmer Jackson of Granite City, IL., Patricia “Penny” (Duncan) Painter & David of Davenport, IA. and Edward Ward of Mt. Vernon, IL. along with many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews who adored her as well as her longtime friends Sandy Jones & Sandy Stein.
She was preceded in death by her mother Margaret (McDonald) & Dale Veach, Grandmother Jennie Lenore Bilyeu, her long time boyfriend Michael P. Smith Sr. and her nephew Timothy D. Flynn Jr.
Services are pending.
In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes memorial contributions to help cover final expenses and may be sent to Wojstrom Funeral Home c/o J.Orender 3939 Lake Dr. Granite City, IL.
Online information and guestbook through Wojstrom Funeral Home & Crematory may be found at www.wojstrom.com.
