Jeannine Catherine (Finkelnburg) Schmulling passed away just shy of 94 years old on Thursday, January 15, 2026. She was the consummate Steel Magnolia – sharp, demanding, resilient and an eternal optimist, but with a zest for life and a gift for gab that allowed her to connect with everyone. She was always up for a party and was a lover of the arts and a world traveler.
Jeannine was born February 9, 1932 in Granite City, IL but grew up in St. Louis around the corner from Carondelet Park. After two years at the University of Missouri where she met her husband, Don, she graduated from Miss Hickey’s secretarial school and entered the working world. Jeannine and Don were married in St. Louis in 1954 and shortly thereafter moved to Wilmington, DE to begin raising their two daughters, Kathryn and Sherry.
She loved the east coast but Don’s job moved them to St. Charles, Illinois where she eventually put her energy into attending Echols Travel School to become a concierge at Pheasant Run in St. Charles, followed by a 25+ year career as a docent at the Art Institute of Chicago. When Don died in 2010, she eagerly moved to Boston and lived with Sherry and her family to return to her beloved east coast and non-stop petting of the family’s golden retrievers, Chelsea and Chester.
Travel was a lifetime passion, taking Jeannine around the globe. Among the many places she explored – including China, Europe, Africa, South America, Australia, Russia and India (to see the famous Taj Mahal for her 85th birthday!) – her favorite destination always remained Paris. Her adventures also took her to all 50 states in America, the country she loved the most.
Jeannine was devoted to her family and had recently met her first great grandchild. She is survived by two children: Kathryn (John) Jones and Sherry (Jim) Bowden; four grandchildren: Duncan (Mattie) and Addison Bowden and Kaitlynne and Kassidy Jones; and one great granddaughter, Charlotte Bowden.
In lieu of flowers you can honor Jeannine’s memory by donating to Cure IBM (www.myositis.org) or Warrior Canine Connection (www.warriorcanineconnection.org ) or simply finding a friend in need to reach out and talk to.
SERVICES: Funeral service will be held at Kutis Affton Chapel (10151 Gravois Road Affton, Missouri 63123) on Saturday, January 24, 11:00 a.m. Interment Sunset Cemetery.