Jacquelynn DeaOn Straavaldsen

MADISON-Jacquelynn DeaOn (Senteney) Cuccia Straavaldsen, age 86, of Madison, passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2018, at Agrace HospiceCare surrounded by her family. She was born on May 18, 1931, in Grafton, to Jean and Berniece (Garlock) Senteney. Jackie grew up on the East side of Madison, attended St. Bernard’s School on Atwood Ave., and graduated from Madison East High School in 1950. She was previously married to John T. Cuccia, and had five children: Cathy, Gina, Jim, Pat, and Tracy.  From 1962-1964, the family moved to South Gate, Calif. to be near Jackie’s retired parents. Jackie worked at American Family Insurance for many years and made life-long friends. She also worked part-time jobs as an usher at the Dane County Coliseum, and at several businesses during tax time. Jackie retired from full time employment at AmFam in July 1983, and later as a part-time employee. Through her part-time job at the Dane County Coliseum, Jackie reconnected with an East High School classmate, Clarence Straavaldsen. When Clarence moved to Anchorage, Alaska, Jackie soon followed. They were married in Anchorage in August 1983 and lived there for 11 years.  From her marriage to Clarence, she gained “bonus adult children” Steve Straavaldsen, Mary Schmidt, Ann Schiess (now deceased), and their families. In Alaska, Jackie worked as a secretary for Flying Tigers cargo airline, which later became Federal Express.  As an airline employee, she traveled to many countries, including South Korea, France, and England, and flew back to Madison often. She and Clarence welcomed many guests from the “lower 48” to their Alaskan home. Jackie was a life-long learner, volunteer, and always gave unselfishly to others.  She gave her time to St. Bernard’s Catholic Church, Goodman’s Community Center, Emerson Elementary School, Board on Aging and Long Term Care, Madison Literacy Network, McBurney Disability Resource Center, Piecemaker’s Quilting group, Monona Quilting group, PLATO, and Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center.  As her final gift to others, she is donating her brain to the Wisconsin Brain Donor Program. Jackie loved movies, big band music, reading, traveling, dancing, attending reunions in Palmyra, Wis. and Mattoon, Ill. and spending time with her family and friends.  She was fortunate to travel with Butler Tours to Russia, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Germany, and Austria. Jackie is survived by her five children, Cathy (Larry Bruss) Cuccia, Gina (RJ) Newell, Jim (Kris) Cuccia, Pat (Jim) O’Brien, and Tracy (Jeff) Lipinski; four grandchildren, Rob (Emily) Newell, Lauren (Michael Zorko) Newell, Maggie (Ben) Schessler, and Jenna O’Brien; three great-grandchildren, Robert Oscar Newell, Henry Newell and Oliver Schessler; other relatives and many dear friends; special friend, Chuck Sweeney; and her faithful beagle, Buddy. She is further survived by her step-children, Steve (Deb) Straavaldsen and Mary (Mike) Schmidt; and step-grandchildren, James Straavaldsen, Johanna (Per) Tonn, Bryan Schmidt, Russell Schmidt, Tim (Tori) Schiess, and Chris Schiess; and their families.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Jean and Berniece Senteney; husband, Clarence; and brother, Jerry Senteney.   A Mass of Christian burial will be held at ST. BERNARD’s CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2450 Atwood Ave., Madison, at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 5, 2018, with a luncheon to follow in the church basement.   Visitation will be held at the church from 8:45 a.m. until the time of the Mass on Monday.  Memorials in Jackie’s name may be made to:  Agrace HospiceCare, Dane County Humane Society or Madison Public Library Foundation. A special thank you to the entire staff at Agrace HospiceCare in Fitchburg for the wonderful care that was given to Jackie. "If ever there is tomorrow when we’re not together, there is something you must always remember: you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem and smarter than you think. But the important thing is: even if we’re apart, I’ll always be with you."  Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care 5203 Monona Dr.         608-221-5420