Jacqueline Getzin

Jacqueline Getzin, formerly McDonough (nee Jolly) passed away at her home as the result of sudden cardiac arrest on October 18, 2021.  Jackie was born on August 2, 1938 in Chicago, Illinois.  She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Marjorie (Farmer) Jolly, brother William Jolly, children Thomas McDonough Jr. (infant) and John McDonough, and her late husband Gerald (“Jerry”) Getzin.  Jackie is survived by her children: Timothy McDonough, Marjorie Fredrickson, Patrick McDonough, Morgan (Tracy) McDonough and Kathleen McDonough (John) Mundo, former daughter-in-law Teri McDonough and son-in-law Steve Fredrickson, as well as ten grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.  Jackie married and had children at a young age, moving to Racine from the Chicago suburbs in 1976. She was smart as a whip and was remarkably competent at many things, proving to those around her that a formal education wasn’t necessarily something that would define a person. Jackie met her second husband Jerry in the late 80’s at a Fourth of July party at his home.  The two loved to entertain friends and family, collect and sell antiques, drive across the U.S., play cards, and watch TV. Against all odds, Jerry somehow managed to convert Jackie from a Bears fan to a Packers fan and she watched her last Packers victory the day before she died.  Over the years, Jackie worked as a waitress at Round-the-Clock and Infusino’s in Racine.  A self-taught expert in valuing antiques, she also worked estate sales all over town. Jackie loved her children, friends, gardening, her cat Riley, and looking out over Lake Michigan every single day. She cooked incredible holiday meals for her extended family and loved regaling those around her with tales of raising six children, Saint Bernard puppies, a Great Dane, various cats, birds and other animals, thanks to her convincing children.  We will miss her laughter, honesty, enthusiasm, storytelling and mostly, her company.  According to Jackie’s wishes, she will be cremated with no ceremony or gathering, and her children aren’t about to start defying her now.  In lieu of flowers, consider donating to a cause that means something to you.  Better yet, next time you’re at a restaurant, be extra nice to your waitress and give her a good tip. You may not appreciate or think about it, but each one of them is a unique, special and loved person, who is working hard for their family, just like our mom.