Jacqueline Ann "Jackie" Wallace

Jacqueline Ann Wallace 1957 – 2026

Jacqueline "Jackie" Wallace, age 68, of Bainbridge, OH, died peacefully in her sleep, in the early morning hours of March 6, 2026, while at the Eliza Jennings Skilled Nursing Facility in Chagrin Falls, OH.

Jackie was born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1957, to parents, Ronald and Elizabeth (nee Alexander) Wallace. Although she suffered a brain injury at birth, which ultimately limited her intellectual capacity somewhat, she didn't allow her special needs to limit her lifelong involvement with her extended family and the community. Jackie's parents made sure she grew up participating in many activities, such as the Special Olympics, Fourth of July parades, dances, etc. She also worked fulltime for over 50-plus years at several jobs and facilities supported by the Metzenbaum Foundation. She took great pride in her work and how good she was at various tasks. She was known for her stubborn resolve and loved to "tease" others. She had a wonderful sense of humor once she got to know you. If you got on her "good side" she'd often give you a funny nickname that she thought was appropriate for you ("Coofie", "Ben Crazy", "Jimbo", "Big Boy", etc.). While living at Eliza Jennings on the Assisted-Living side, she befriended a group of men that she looked forward to eating with every night. Jackie also loved pets of all sorts, especially the smaller ones she could snuggle up to on the couch (or as she called it, the "davenport"). She grew up with the usual dogs and cats. She also loved to care for and "mother" her numerous guinea pigs, and hamsters over the decades. Her love of assigning funny nicknames also extended to her pets ("Peanut Butter", "The Babeee", "Teddy Bear" just to name a few). She had a love of police officers, firemen, doctors, nurses and priests. Some of her favorite memories were of riding in a "real" police car and also being introduced to several "real" police dogs.

Jackie's greatest love outside of her parents and work was food, eating out, any kind of presents, and celebrating her birthday with cake and balloons. She especially loved Friday Fish Fries (but only the "crunchy" kind of fish), diet Coke, ice cream, cake, trips to Taco Bell (but only the "hard tacos"), and much, much more. She loved to "eat out". Sitting in a restaurant eating her favorite foods while watching all the other patrons was something Jackie looked forward to all week long. Jackie was very social and enjoyed asking strangers and new friends alike about their personal lives ("Are you married? Do you have any kids?" and much more). She loved to figure out and articulate how people were related to each other or to her (Her favorite television shows (while lying in bed or on the couch in her PJs) were Little House on the Prairie and The Waltons. She could watch hours and hours of each or both, but only until she got hungry of course. She had an internal clock to know when to wake up in the morning … and she was "on time" for every meal with dessert! She would also talk year-round about her birthday and how big of a party and what type of presents she wanted. She loved to go shopping, especially at Walmart or Target. A perfect Saturday for Jackie included sleeping in while watching some of her favorite shows, followed by a trip to Taco Bell and then shopping at Walmart or Target, possibly with one of her "combiders" (Jackie's shorthand nickname for her many "providers/companions"). During her final years, Jackie was treated to several new adventures, such as riding on long ATV and boat rides, being in parades, being the "Boss of the Day" at Jim's work, for example. She will never be forgotten and always remembered as our "Loving Cousin".

Jackie was preceded in death by her parents Ronald (2019) and Elizabeth (2009), and is survived by her cousins, Thomas (Cathie) Tyrrell, Kathy (James) Bohn, Mary (John) Siegel, and John (Maria) Tyrrell.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Jackie's name to the Metzenbaum Foundation, https://metzenbaumfdn.org/donate/

Friends may call at the FERFOLIA FUNERAL HOME 356 W. AURORA RD. (ST. RT. 82) SAGAMORE HILLS for VISITATION TUESDAY 4:00-7:00PM. Family and friends are asked to gather Wednesday at Church of the Holy Angels 18205 Chillicothe Rd. Chagrin Falls, Ohio 44023 for a Mass of Christian Burial to celebrate Jackie's life at 11:00AM. VISITATION AT CHURCH 10:00AM UNTIL TIME OF SERVICES. Interment Crown Hill Cemetery.