Obituary of Jacquelyn Marie Hendricks

Jacquelyn Marie Hendricks, retired teacher, passed away on Sunday May 8th after a long, courageous battle with cancer. Jackie was the devoted and loving mother of four, and doting grandmother (meme) of two beautiful grandchildren. In addition to her role as a mother she acted as a loving wife, daughter, sister, sister-in-law, aunt and cousin with many calling her friend.

Jackie was an accomplished teacher and academic, spending much of her career at Highland Middle School in Libertyville and taught at both the High School and College level where she instructed classes in foreign languages primarily French, but also courses in Spanish and English including ESL. Her extensive educational qualification included both undergraduate degrees in French and Education with minors in Spanish and English and a graduate degree in Applied Linguistics with additional post graduate courses successfully completed. She completed her undergraduate degree at Illinois State University and graduate degree at University of Illinois.

Her glowing appearance was welcoming and instantly drew a large circle of friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers.  Her considerable intelligence, boundless spirituality, high energy, incredible optimism, and infectious happiness lit up every room she entered.  Many are known as a half glass full person, but Jackie helped everyone see the glass completely full.

She was a smart, headstrong, and courageous woman who faced the adversity of losing her husband Walter and moved forward without fear or trepidation raising four children on her own while successfully teaching and leading her students.  She acted as a role model and was admired by those who crossed her path.  

Jackie fully retired in 2018 after a brief encore career in Real Estate and moved to Scottsdale AZ with her husband Patrick (also widowed) to enjoy time in the sun, swimming, travel, and visits with her grandchildren.

Surviving family include a daughter, Nora; three sons, William (wife Amanda, grandchildren Madeline and Graham), Andrew and Matthew as well as sisters Laura, and Mary Jane.  Jackie is Preceded in death by her loving husband of 20 years Walter, mother Emily, father Edward and sister Darlene.

She asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to St. Coletta's of Illinois, 18350 Crossing Drive, Tinley Park, IL 60487.