Vera Jeanne Materre, former jazz singer, teacher and mother of WGN anchorwoman, dies at 95

In 1954, Vera Jeanne Materre was featured on the cover of Jet magazine alongside the caption: “Pretty Chicago Schoolmarm also doubles as nightclub singer.”

Mrs. Materre, who went by Jeanne (Jet misspelled it “Jean”) sang jazz standards in South Side clubs and worked as a Chicago Public Schools special education teacher.

She sang alongside some notable musicians like jazz great Ramsey Lewis, and was supposed to perform with Nat King Cole until, as her daughter, WGN News anchor Micah Materre, recalled, his wife took one look at her and said “Oh, no.”

Her singing career came to an end after she married and had the first of her three children. Later, she went back to school, earning her master’s degree in special education from Chicago State University.

But she would sing her signature song “My Funny Valentine” at family gatherings throughout her life if she was coaxed enough.

“She did it all, she was the most amazing generous woman. And she used to say I spoil my children because life is going to be tough enough when they get older, but, in reality, she spoiled us for all our lives,” said Micah Materre.

Mrs. Materre died Jan. 1 from metastatic breast cancer while in hospice care at her near South Side home. She was 95.

When it became clear the end was near, generations of extended family rushed to Mrs. Materre’s bedside.

“We rang in the New Year with her, we drank champagne and went over fabulous memories,” Micah Materre said.

“I spoke with her every day on my way to work, and, yes, I went to call her the other day, it was just a knee-jerk reaction, and I couldn’t,” she said. “She was my biggest fan. She never missed a newscast.”

“She was like our Superwoman,” said her daughter, Gloria Materre.

Mrs. Materre’s son, Daryl Materre, recalled a number of sayings his mother used that are now ingrained. They include “Patience and fortitude” and “This too shall pass” and “What’s for you, you will get.”

Mrs. Materre was born Aug. 9, 1930, to Alberta Duke Bradley, a seamstress, and Isaac Cleophus Bradley, a tailor.

Her father died at a young age and her mother raised their five kids.

Mrs. Materre learned to play the piano as a girl and performed with her three sisters as a quartet at church and social gatherings.

She attended DuSable High School before studying music at Northwestern University.

Mrs. Materre met her husband, businessman Louis Materre, in early 1960 and it was instant fireworks.

“You know how you see someone, and you say, ‘Oh my goodness,’ and you know this is it? We were married within six months,” she told the Sun-Times in a 2018 obituary for her husband.

The couple raised their kids in South Shore and Mrs. Materre worked at several elementary schools, often incorporating music as she taught children with a range of disabilities, before taking an administrative position at Chicago Public Schools main office downtown.

Mrs. Materre, whose presence was marked by her favorite perfume, also loved card games and was a dedicated bridge player.

In addition to her three children, Mrs. Materre is survived by her stepson Louis F. Materre Jr., 10 grandchildren, and several great grandchildren.

Family is planning a private celebration of life.