It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Jennifer Wendy Debus on May 18, 2026 at 53 years of age after a brief illness and stay at Trident Medical Center in North Charleston, South Carolina. Jenny was born on February 25, 1973 in Chicago, Illinois. She is preceded in death by her mother, Diane Debus (Ball), her father, Robert Schlitz, her aunts Dana Powell and Lynette Borders, and grandmothers Juanita Ball and Brunilda L. Debus. Jenny is survived by her son Michael Pina, stepfather Allen A. Debus (Elizabeth), sisters Kristen Dennis (Ryan and son Tyler) and Lisa Debus (Jack Conlon), cousin and chosen sister Shelley Compton, aunt Linda Belle, cousins Joe and Tony Powell, uncle Jim Schlitz, uncles Karl Debus-Lopez and Tanner Wray, cousin Sara Sherrill (Colin and daughter Corinne), and close friend Angel.

Soon after her birth, she and her mother adventured to California where Jenny was raised in a commune as a flower child. She spent the years of 1976-1978 with extended family in Republic, Missouri, and in the 1980’s moved to Hanover Park, Illinois with her mother, stepfather, and two younger sisters. She attended primary school at St. Phillip in Chicago, and graduated from Spring Wood Middle School in Hanover Park and in 1992, graduated from Lake Park High School in Roselle. During the 1980’s Jenny enjoyed playing catch with her stepfather in the backyard. She and her stepfather were fans of the Chicago Cubs, and they attended ball games at Wrigley Field with the family. Annually she went hiking and camping with her family at Apple River Canyon and Baraboo Hills Campground, and enjoyed summer visits with relatives in Republic, Missouri.

Jenny was a sociable person who would easily strike up a conversation with anyone she encountered. She worked as a vendor in Chicago nightclubs, notably Debonnair and Latin Bliss Night Club, where she was reverently referred to as “Mama” by her regular customers. Jenny’s passions included rocking out to Whitesnake and Chicago, her favorite bands, and collecting their posters and other memorabilia. She lovingly cared for her cats including her dearest Lucky. Her favorite hobbies included busying herself with word search puzzle books, knitting, and crochet. She enjoyed walking around her neighborhood in Melrose Park, was fond of window shopping, and spoke highly of several of her favorite neighborhood shops. She also loved cooking and endeavored to eat in a healthy manner, with one of her favorite creations being frozen berry smoothies. She inspired others with her incredible and hard-earned weight loss journey.

Jenny was most fulfilled by joyful interactions with her family and others, close or newly met. She had a gentle, loving smile and kind eyes. Those who knew her will remember her playful and jousting sense of humor and her contagious laugh. She had a strong spirit and prided her autonomy, aiming to live her life on her own terms. We will miss her dearly. She will be laid to rest in the family plot at Wade Chapel Cemetery in Republic, Missouri.

Arrangements by J. Henry Stuhr, Inc. West Ashley Chapel.