Jeanann Arzbaecher born in Chicago November 4, 1958 passed away peacefully in New York on March 24, 2020 from complications of a bad fall. Jean had a tenacious spirit from a young age. Determined to make it in New York (her great love), she saved her money as a young girl, got accepted to the highly esteemed Stella Adler Studio for Acting and moved from Hinsdale, IL to Manhattan at 19 yrs. old. Like most struggling artists, Jean worked in the restaurant service industry since she was 16 and in 1992, she became the first female captain at the prestigious 5-star Rainbow Room in Rockefeller Center. When the Aids epidemic hit Manhattan, many of Jean’s co-workers & friends lost their health benefits. Once again, Jean’s tenacity shined as she helped initiate the movement to unionize the restaurant workers. Through incredible hard work, Jean’s spirit prevailed, the workers unionized and still enjoy health benefits to this day because of it. Alternatively, Jean also had the spirit and purity of a joyous child. She loved to tell funny stories and make people laugh. Jean loved children and they loved her. She was a loving nanny. She wrote an amazing poem at 13 which she published as a Children’s book in 2010 “A Gift of Joy From The Sea”. Jean loved the sea even before she became a certified scuba diver at 16 and loved diving in Cozumel, Mexico with her family for decades. Jean is survived by her mother, 4 sisters, brother, 3 nieces, 3 nephews and her best friend (our NY brother), Randy. While we will miss her joy, laughter, love and tenacious spirit, she continues to live in our hearts. Celebrations of Jean’s life in NY & Chicago are planned for future dates to be determined.