Jackie Wheeler Wallace

Jackie Wheeler Wallace, beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away peacefully on Monday, August 18, 2025. She was 95 years old.

Born in 1929 in East Point, Georgia, Jackie grew up with her parents, Fred and Vera, and two sisters, Martha and Dot. She attended Emory University for two years before beginning her career at the Bell Telephone Company. In 1955, she married Graham Wallace, and together they began a life of adventure, moving from Georgia to New York, to New Mexico, and finally, in 1958, settling in Los Altos, California, where they raised their three children.

Education was always important to Jackie. She returned to school at Foothill College, where she completed multiple courses in accounting and history. She later became the bookkeeper at Midtown Market in downtown Los Altos, a position she held for many years.

Jackie was deeply committed to her community. A longtime supporter of the Los Altos Friends of the Library, she volunteered with the Bookmobile, worked tirelessly at weekly book sorting, and contributed to countless book sales. As a working woman in Los Altos, she was a proud member of Quota International. She also supported Pilgrim Haven (now The Terraces of Los Altos), where she served on the board of directors. She was passionate about preserving history and volunteered at the Los Altos History Museum. For 65 years, Jackie was a faithful member of the Los Altos United Methodist Church, where she taught Sunday School, and served on the Gifts and Memorials and Endowment Committees.

Jackie loved Dixieland jazz music, and for many years faithfully attended the Sacramento Dixieland jazz festival. She and Graham were also avid square dancers and enjoyed dancing with the Spinning Wheels.

She loved to read, she loved to travel, and she cherished the opportunity to explore the world. Over her lifetime, Jackie visited many of the places she had only dreamed of as a child.

Jackie's warmth, dedication, and adventurous spirit will be remembered by all who knew her, and her legacy will live on in her family and the community she served with such devotion.

She is preceded in death by her beloved husband Graham Wallace, and she is survived by her children Steve Wallace, Sue La Fetra, and Linda Bartow; her grandchildren Lauren Ensunsa, James Wallace, Scott La Fetra, Jill La Fetra, Kristen Bartow; and her great grandchildren Jacob and Avery.

Services to celebrate Jackie's life will be held on Saturday, October 25 at 2 pm at Los Altos United Methodist Church, 655 Magdalena Avenue, Los Altos.