Jenna Mathioudakis was born on February 6, 1970, in Burbank, California, the daughter of Nicholas and Dorothy (Helregel) Mathious.  She loved to sing, dance, write stories, and paint pictures of all of her pets. Jenna was a spiritual girl. She loved to sit in the front pew at church, say her special prayers at bedtime, pray the Rosary, and receive Holy Communion on Sundays. At age 11, she was voted "Best Little Singer in Burbank by the Optomist Club. Jenna graduated from John Burroughs High School with the class of 1988. Jenna then attended the University of Southern California (USC) in Los Angeles on a full scholarship to the USC Opera School and graduated in 1999 with a degree in Musical Performance. She went on to New York and sang with the Bronx Opera Company.

In 2001, Jenna suffered a Glio Blastoma Maltiforme Brain Cancer with 4 months to live. However, after three surgeries, many treatments, and going on the Macrobiotic (Mediterranean) Diet, Jenna lived for 25 more years. She returned to New York City to sing at Carnegie Hall and sang for 10 years with the St. Charles Borromeo Choir in Burbank, California, until she was no longer able to climb the stairs to the choir loft. Jenna never complained about having cancer. She said, "I am an example to show others that their lives may not be as they had dreamed, but to make the best of what you have and trust in God to help you pull through the worst of times." And He did!

Jenna was a member of St. Charles Borromeo Church in Burbank, California and sang for the Burbank Chorale for 10 years.

At the time of her death, Jenna was survived by-

Mother – Dorothy (Helregel) Mathious of Van Nuys, California

Sister – Linda Mathious of North Hollywood, California

Nephew – Isaac Thaddeus Mathioudakis Stone of North Hollywood, California

Uncles – Don Helregel (Sara) of Lexington, Kentucky, Bob Helregel of Ste. Marie, Illinois, and George Mathioudakis of Athens, Greece

Aunts – Judy (Helregel) Millsap (Gordon) of Ste. Marie, Illinois and Helen Assimakos of Athens, Greece

Jenna was preceded in death by her father, uncles -  Jim Helregel, John Huss, Lefkos Mathioudakis; aunts - Carole Helregel, Marilyn Huss, Pitza and Fanni Mathioudakis.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 AM- Saturday, June 21, 2025, at Saint Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in Sainte Marie, Illinois, with Father Dennis Koopman, O.F.M. celebrating Mass.   Visitation will be held for 1 hour (10:00-11:00 AM) prior to the Mass.  Burial will be at Saint Mary's Cemetery in Sainte Marie, Illinois.  In Loving memory of Jenna, memorials may be made to Sweet Relief Musician's Fund.  Meyer Funeral Home in Newton, Illinois is assisting the family, www.meyerfh.com