Jacqueline M. "Jake" Shinn

Jacqueline M. “Jake” Shinn, 88
Rockford- Jacqueline M. “Jake” Shinn, 88, passed away Wednesday, June 15, 2016 at Alden Park Strathmoor. Born July 12, 1927, in Evanston, IL, the daughter of C. Harry & Lillie M. (Olsen) Carlson. Married Thomas Shinn in Rockford, on May 31. 1947. Her goal in life was to be a good mother, which she excelled at. Her passion for music started when she was a child, when her family would hold ‘concerts’ in the evenings. At Rockford West High School she was a member of madrigals and had a part time job in a record store. She was a charter member of the Rock Valley Master Chorale and performed with them at Carnegie Hall on 12/31/1999. Even as she endured the ravages of Alzheimer’s she loved to be a part of sing alongs. Her hobbies included sewing, needlecraft, and quilting and she was skilled at all of these. After she was done raising her children she worked as a volunteer at the School of Hope. She participated with her husband, Tom, as an owner of the Rainbow Tap for several years. Jake and Tom loved to go to “The Lake” and they owned a cottage on Lawrence Lake near Westfield, WI, which was the focus of family gatherings for decades. They also spent a great deal of time at Chippewa Flowage. She was a very gregarious, out-going person who never met a stranger. She was quick to laugh, and the sound of her laughter will be missed by all who knew her.
Survivors include children, Mike (Jan) Shinn, Barb Calgaro, Georgia (Scott) Still, and Margaret (Dale) Clark; grandchildren, Ann, Monica, Renee, Abbie, Emilie, Daniel, Andy, Dayna, Melanie, and Adam; great-grandchildren, Tyler, Shawn, Mackenzie, Caitlin, Lauren, and Gracie. Jake was predeceased by husband Thomas, son Steve, brother Harry, and son-in-law Tom Calgaro.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to the Alzheimer’s Foundation or Northern Illinois Hospice. A Celebration of her life will be held 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Sunday, July 31, 2016 at Lino’s Restaurant, 5611 E State St, Rockford, IL 61108. Arrangements by Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, 3910 N. Rockton Ave., Rockford, IL. 61103. Send online condolence at www.fitzgeraldfh.com