Jackie Sue Casey

Jackie Sue Casey of Yorkville, IL, born on April 27, 1962, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly of a severe cardiac event at the age of 62 on July 7, 2024, while visiting friends in Decatur, Illinois. A lifelong learner and achiever, Jackie put herself through college, graduating with honors (top 5% of her class) and receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Retail Management from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1985. She had previously excelled in the Superior Ability academic program and Debate Team at James Madison Senior High School, Milwaukee, WI.

Jackie dedicated 46 years of her life to various challenging retail management positions, working hard and succeeding with renowned stores such as Marshall Fields, Bloomingdales, IKEA, and most recently, HomeGoods. Her career was marked by a keen eye for detail, maintaining specific focus and overall vision, developing and leading her staff, and a passion for outstanding customer service, qualities that endeared her to colleagues and customers alike.

She had a vibrant personality, marked by her love for Taylor Swift and anything and everything plaid (her favorite color - the more plaid, the better!) She had a distinctive style that reflected her strong artistic and creative sensibilities, as expressed in her personal appearance and meticulous attention to her home decorations.

Her generosity extended beyond her immediate circle, as evidenced by her decision to donate her tissues to Gift of Hope, impacting many lives even in her passing. She regularly made herself available to lend a helping hand to family and friends and, in her free time, she most loved spending time with her partner, spoiling her cats and shopping with her nieces, sister and friends.

She had the best sense of silliness and fun and a laugh that overflowed with joy. Jackie's legacy of kindness, generosity, resilience, and decency remains in the hearts of all who knew her. She loved fiercely and we will carry her "one of a kind" light forward into the world.

Jackie's life was deeply enriched by her loving partner, Robert C. Ross, of Yorkville, IL; her cats, Cricket and Grover; and her birds, Buck and Millie. She is survived by her older sisters, Colleen C. Casey of Addison, IL; Jeanne L. Casey of Milwaukee, WI; her niece, Katey L. Koch (Brian) of Lindenhurst, IL; grandniece, Bridget R. Koch; her partner's family, Steve, Cindy and Savannah Ross of Woodstock, GA; special friends, Candace Stoll of Decatur, IL and Anne Freeburg and her daughter, Natalia (Perez) of Milwaukee, WI; and numerous extended family and friends who shared in her journey.

Jackie was preceded in death by her parents, Gordon H. Casey and Mildred "Carol" (Hills) Casey, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She was a baptized and confirmed Lutheran.

Jackie is in the care of Graceland Fairlawn Funeral Home, Decatur, Illinois.

Following cremation, a casual gathering to cherish her memory and celebrate her life will be held on Friday August 16, 2024, between 5:00 pm and 9:00 pm at the Round Lake Beach Cultural & Civic Center, 2007 Civic Center Way, Round Lake Beach, Illinois 60073, (847) 201-9032, rlbeachcenter@roundlakebeachil.gov.

Stories will be shared and refreshments will be served, honoring Jackie's spirit of community and friendship.

In lieu of flowers, expressions of remembrance would be deeply appreciated as memorial donations in Jackie's honor to help rescue animals near her home at:

https://renkoanimalshelter.godaddysites.com/ways-to-help

or to help others experiencing heart health issues at:

https://www.heart.org/?form=FUNELYZXFBW

"We love you oodles and poodles, Jackie Sue!"