Jeanne Jacques O'Malley

Jeanne's Livestream Service will begin at 10 a.m CT on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023.

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MADISON - Jeanne Marie Jacques O’Malley, 74, passed peacefully on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023, in Sun Prairie, Wis.  She was born on March 24, 1949, in Madison, Wis., the daughter of John C. Jacques, Jr. and Betty J. Egan Jacques. She was preceded in death by both her parents.

Jeanne is survived by her two children, Casey J. O’Malley (Megan S. Sharpless) of Madison, Wis., and Brian P. O’Malley (Mercedes J. Cormier) of Richmond, Calif.; and her two grandchildren, Gabriel J. O’Malley of Madison and Ramona S. O’Malley of Richmond.  She is also survived by her sister, Michele M. Jacques (Jamie D. Poindexter) of Waunakee, Wis.  Those who also mourn her loss are Jeanne’s many long-time friends as well as the other members of the O’Malley family.

Jeanne lived and worked in Madison for most of her life.  She attended both Edgewood Grade School and Edgewood High School, graduating with honors as the 1967 Class Valedictorian. She attended Madison Area Technical College in Madison, where she first started taking accounting classes. It was at that time that Jeanne also began to work at the downtown Manchester’s Department Store where her part-time job was a gift wrapper (a lifelong passion of Jeanne’s!).  Since the gift wrapping took place near the store’s office, it wasn’t long before Jeanne was promoted to work there, and then later, as a department manager.  However, Jeanne’s incredible intellect steered her to begin her exceptional career at what is now the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS).  In her professional life, Jeanne was a top budget analyst and lead accountant for the State of Wisconsin’s Medicaid health insurance program.  She had the huge responsibility for the accountability of critical federal reporting, where she used her extraordinary abilities to detect potential problems before they happened. But she never forgot that despite the enormity of her fiscal responsibilities, she understood the life-changing importance of what these programs could do to help the citizens of the State.  She retired in 2011.

When not working, Jeanne was at play.   For years, she was a key figure in local community theater.  She worked behind the scenes in almost every capacity of what it takes to put together a production.   From start to finish, Jeanne took an active role in dozens of plays, but only once was she ever in front of the curtain.  And if a prop was needed, she found it, made it, or adapted it.  Time and again, she wove her magic into the set, during one production even making cherry blossom petals drop slowly over a park bench during the song “If I Loved You.”

Family and family tradition meant a lot to Jeanne.  The holidays were always a big deal, and Jeanne continued with her precision skills in wrapping presents - each gift had to be admired before even being opened. The tradition of going to a different small town each year to do holiday shopping together was much enjoyed by Jeanne, Michele and Jamie.  The annual quest for the perfect tree with Casey, Megan and Gabriel was an impressive adventure.  As things progressed, seeing Brian, Mercy and Ramona was getting harder for Jeanne to do, but she did manage to make a trip to California to meet her new granddaughter for the first time.

For the last few years, Jeanne led a very happy life, making friends with the other memory care residents, as well as the staff.  Despite both her mounting medical concerns and increasing dementia, Jeanne continued to be comfortable and free of worry.   She gladly helped other residents after meals and participated in virtually all of the many daily activities, saving her artwork and crafts to show off to her visitors.  Jeanne and Michele often went on outings together, and seeing the colors of the fall leaves was always a special time.

The family would like to thank the staff of Hyland Crossings Memory Care in Sun Prairie where Jeanne lived for the past few years and benefited from the staff’s kindness, energy, and wonderful activities.  Also, thanks to Rainbow Hospice Care for gently assisting and guiding Jeanne and her family through these last few months.   An enormous thanks goes to all the doctors, nurses, and staff at UW Hospitals and Clinics who cared for Jeanne before, during and after her many appointments and procedures.  Finally, the services of the staff and family of Gunderson Funeral Home have been much appreciated.

In lieu of flowers or donations, the best way to honor Jeanne's legacy is to continue to generate the same type of dedication, enthusiasm, friendships, and community involvement that she practiced all of her life.  Go to see a local community theater production….and think of Jeanne!

A funeral service will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023, with a visitation starting at 9 a.m. Everyone is welcome to join the family at a luncheon at the funeral home after the service. The burial will take place after the luncheon at Forest Hill Cemetery. A visitation will also be held at the funeral home from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 17, 2023.

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420