Virginia L Smolar

Virginia Smolar, also known to many as Jenny, was born on December 3rd, 1961, at Ingalls Memorial Hospital in Harvey, Illinois. Jenny was a daughter to Janice Metzger and Manuel Mireles, and she was a sister to Terry Toutges. Jenny grew up in Calumet City, Illinois, and she graduated from Thornton Fractional North High School. On October 27th, 1981, Jenny married the love of her life and best friend, John Smolar. In 1982, they relocated to Texas. Soon afterwards, they moved to Garland, Texas, which would become their home for the next 30+ years. In 1983, John and Jenny welcomed their first child, Brian Smolar. Their daughter, Julie Smolar, arrived shortly afterwards in 1987. Jenny enjoyed cooking, arts and crafts projects, collecting antiques, and above all else, laughing and spending time with friends and family. Jenny passed away on January 19th, 2017.
As many of you know, Jenny, spent the last three years battling stage 3C ovarian cancer. While we knew the cancer was terminal, she was still fighting with everything she had. On Monday, January 16, 2017, God decided that he was ready to end her pain That day, everything was pretty normal. Jenny was having a good day and was feeling pretty good, so she decided to do a little shopping. She loved to thrift shop and find little treasures for various purposes. She loved arts and crafts projects and finding gifts for people. Often, you'd end up with a little, random trinket because, "it made me think of you and I thought you would like it!" Anyone that knew Jenny would tell you that she had a huge heart, loved to laugh, and was a sassy little pistol. However, later that evening, Jenny told her husband, John, that she was going to lay down because she wasn't feeling well. Soon, she started to complain of a headache. Next, John was calling 911 because she was having a stroke... The doctors later informed us that she had suffered severe bleeding inside and around the brain, as well as her brain stem. Even with surgery, there wasn't much that could be saved... Jenny, as we knew, was essentially gone. God decided that he did not want her to suffer a prolonged death from cancer. Instead, he chose to end her suffering and relieve her from pain in an instant. Knowing Jenny's wishes, we took her off life support on Thursday, January 19, 2017... and even then, she fought all the way to the end. Jenny was a great mother, best friend, wife, sister, aunt, and daughter. She will be missed so very, very much. But we are glad that she is no longer in pain and is now with her beloved sister, Terry. A memorial service to celebrate Jenny's life will be held Saturday, February 11, 2017 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Allen Family Funeral Options. We welcome you to share your favorite memory of Jenny on the condolences page (or anything else that you would like to share). Additionally, in honor of Jenny and her strength and courage, we are asking individuals to donate to Parkland's Oncology Department (www.istandforparkland.org/ways-to-give/donate) in lieu of sending flowers.

We love you Jenny.