Jacquelyn Wood

Madison- Jacquelyn Palmer (Jackie) Wood died peacefully at Oakwood - Hebron Oaks Nursing Home Saturday evening, August 5, 2017.

Jackie was born to Alfred and Elizabeth Palmer on December 23, 1928, and grew up in Antigo, WI. She met and married Leroy Wood in Milwaukee in 1952, and moved to Appleton where Leroy accepted a teaching position. They had 3 children but Leroy died from Hodgkins Disease in 1959, when Margie, Betsy and David were 6, 4 and 2.

Jackie did a beautiful job of raising her children on her own while working in both Appleton and later Beaver Dam. When her children were grown she moved to Madison, where she worked for the state's Council on Developmental Disabilities until retirement in 1993.
In retirement she continued to pursue her life-long love of learning. She was deeply concerned with issues of peace, hunger and social justice, and was involved with Bread for the World, volunteered with the Bethel Food Pantry and worked with children at Lowell Elementary School as a reading tutor.

Jackie was a loving "gramma" to 3 generations of her diverse group of grandchildren. Jackie quietly brought joy, compassion and love to her family, friends and community.

Jackie is survived by her 3 children, Marjorie (Tom Bernthal) Wood, Elizabeth Wood-Williams, both of Madison, and David (Miae) Wood of Downer's Grove IL; her 4 grandchildren, Aaron (Kelly) Williams of DeForest, Jamie Bernthal of Madison, Lauren (Teddy Motz) Wood of New York City and Julia Wood of Chicago, IL; her 3 great-grandchildren, Trenton (Tyara Bates) Williams, Tanner and Kyia Williams; and her 2 great-great-grandchildren Addalyn and Issac.

She was preceeded in death by her parents, her sister Marge Mayberry, and her son-in-law Gene Williams.
Jackie's family expresses great gratitude to each and every staff member at Oakwood, who cared for Jackie so lovingly and made Oakwood her home for the last 3 years. Jackie's family would also like to express tremendous gratitude to Jackie's "Oakwood Sister," Miriam Cerveny for her precious gift of friendship she extended to Jackie and her whole family. Finally, Jackie's family would like to express gratitude to the Agrace Purple Team, for their excellent care and support during Jackie's last days.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Bread of the World, or a charity of your choice.

Visitation will be held Thursday from 10-11 am followed by a memorial service at 11am at Cress Funeral Home on 3610 Speedway Road, Madison.

Cress Funeral and Cremation Service
3610 Speedway Road, Madison
608-238-3434