‘She made the world a better place’: Friends, family remember woman killed during Fox River boating accident in July
Friends and family, fellow Marines, law enforcement officers and first responders, motorcycle enthusiasts and dog lovers — about 300 in all — gathered along the banks of the Fox River Saturday to honor Magdalena Jablonska, who lost her life in July in a horrific crash on that river.
Known as Madzia, Jablonska was remembered as a beloved fiance, daughter, sister and aunt; devoted friend, dedicated U.S. Marine veteran; dog lover and volunteer who was “taken away far too soon,” said Rick Prescott, commandant of the McHenry County Marine Corps League Detachment 1009, which helped coordinate the service.
“I hope you will know how deeply she was respected and loved by so many,” said Prescott, one of many speakers who praised Jablonska's service to country and family.
Jablonska, 48, and her fiance, Alan Telmini, were enjoying a leisurely afternoon on the river on July 25, when authorities say a pontoon boat driven by Richard M. Stevenson, of Lisle, went up and over their smaller boat, killing the Des Plaines woman and injuring Telmini.
The couple were in a no-wake zone south of the McHenry Dam at the time of the crash, according to authorities, who said Stevenson's boat had three, 500-horsepower engines and was traveling 80 mph at the time of the crash.
Charged with first-degree murder, aggravated DUI and operating a watercraft under the influence, Stevenson, 45, remains at the McHenry County jail while his case is pending.
Major Jennifer Slown, a USMC reservist, described her friend of eight years as an outgoing, positive, well-liked person who possessed “a work ethic second to none.”
“She had a way of bringing people together,” said Slown.
“Maggie always showed up,” she continued, referring to Jablonska's charity work with animal rescue and Toys for Tots.
She also showed up for her friends. Slown recalled an October kayaking trip up north with fellow female Marines. All of them were in solo kayaks, said Slown. When one woman's kayak tipped over and she was unable to right it, Jablonska told her to grab onto hers, said Slown. When the woman got cold, Jablonska switched places and remained in the chilly water until they reached the shore.
Born in Nysa, Poland in 1977, Jablonska emigrated at age 10 with her family to Chicago.
A 1996 Lane Tech High School alumna, she enlisted in the Marines several months after graduation. Her service initially took her to Okinawa, Japan, said Slown. Later, she took part in the 1998 bombing of Iraq known as Operation Desert Fox and concluded her service at Camp Pendleton in California.
When she met Jablonska in 2016, Commandant Victoria Cobbett, of the Department of Illinois Marine Corps League, was in desperate need of a volunteer treasurer.
“Maggie jumped in,” she said. “She made the world a better place.”
A fan of the TV shows “Zena, Warrior Princess” and “Love Island,” Jablonska was “fashion forward and loved shoe shopping,” Cobbett said.
She shared traditions with her nieces, teaching them to prepare Polish food and a Thanksgiving turkey, Cobbett said.
She and Telmini met six years ago, fell in love and never argued, except over pizza, Cobbett said, with a laugh.
“For me, she was just my big sister,” said Michelle Macia tearfully of Jablonska who was 14 years her senior. “She has always been my big sister.”
And she was like a second mother to Macia's four daughters who knew they could always count on Aunt Madzia for a stick of gum.
The ceremony concluded with a bagpipe version of “Amazing Grace” followed by a rifle volley and the playing of taps. After which Slown offered her fellow Marine a final farewell: “We will carry her memory forward. Semper fidelis. Rest in peace, Marine.”
In addition to Telmini, Jablonska is survived by her mother, Malgorzata Macias, and father Jerzy Jablonski; brothers Marcin Jablonski and Michal Macias; sisters Michelle Macias and Natalia Jablonski; and nieces Evelyn, Faith, Mia and Eliza.
Last month, family members filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against Stevenson.
Anthony R. Udchik saw Stevenson's boat speed past his riverside home that afternoon. He was among several people who live along the Fox River. Unknown to Jablonska and her family, they came to pay their respects.
“I thought he was going way too fast,” said Udchik, whose company Image Pots donated planters and flowers for the memorial service. “It wasn't the first time.”
Crystal Lake resident Kathy Barton also lives on the river. She said the residents are like family.
“River rats,” is how her neighbor Gary Jenkins referred to them. He and his wife, Sherie, observed the pontoon boat speeding minutes before the crash.
“It was the biggest, fastest boat I've ever seen on this river,” said Sherie Jenkins.
Boat traffic can be heavy on the river, added Gary Jenkins, “throw alcohol into the mix and it's a recipe for disaster.”