Jacqueline 'Jackie' Reine Zantow

MADISON - Jacqueline "Jackie" Reine Zantow, age 88, of Madison, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 4, 2011, in her lifelong home after a long and courageous battle with cancer and heart disease, with her Angels watching close by. She was born on Jan. 6, 1923, in Paris, France, the daughter of Marcel and Marcelle Dumangin. Jackies early life was spent between Paris and the Normandy coast. She loved spending many summers with her only sister, Hlne, on the beaches of Normandy (near Omaha Beach) at her grandmothers house. She loved to share the many stories about those days growing up on the coast with her grandmother. As a teenager, she witnessed the Nazi invasion of her home, Paris, and all of southern of France in June of 1940. Jackie had many amazing tales of the years of hardship and life in France under the occupation. Shortly, after the liberation of Paris in 1944, Jackie met a young American G.I., Leon "Woody" Zantow, who would soon become the love of her life. They were married in Paris, France, on June 18, 1945. Jackie was one of the many Paris "war brides" that made the trip to the U.S. on the small liberty ships bound for New York and their new homes. Jackie and Woody first made their home in Baraboo and later moved to Madison where together for 53 years they raised their family on Madisons eastside. Woodys brothers and sisters became Jackies brothers and sisters and they formed a lifelong bond that is as strong as any family bond anywhere. She mentioned this many times over the years and how it made her new life in the USA so filled with joy. Jackie devoted her life to helping others, nurturing her grandkids and then working at Elvehjem School in the lunch room helping kids. Then, when her husband, Woody, suffered a stroke and was soon diagnosed with cancer, Jackie spent her days nursing and caring for him at their home for almost two years until his death. Jackies kind, caring and gentle nature made her many lifelong friends in the area. Even after living in the U.S. for 65 years, Jackie still maintained a VERY strong and beautiful French accent and it many times proved to be an ice breaker for making new friends in conversation as everyone would ask where she had grown up and the stories would begin. She is survived by a daughter, Katherine (Kelly) Parks of Hayward; three sons, Patrick (Shirley) Zantow of Belleville, Michael (Mary Ann) Zantow of Madison and James (Jane) Zantow of Madison; 16 grandchildren; and many great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; and her American parents, Edward and Maria Zantow; her husband; a sister; and a sister-in-law, Virginia Wallace. A Mass of Christian Burial will he held at ST. DENNIS CATHOLIC CHURCH, 505 Dempsey Road, Madison, at 11 a.m. on Thursday, March 10, 2011, with Father Kent Schmitt presiding. Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 9, 2011, and at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the Mass on Thursday. The family would like to thank HospiceCare for their help during Jackies last weeks assisting with her care and the many friends and neighbors who rallied together in her care. But especially we would like to thank her two very special Angels, Mary Johnson and Lou Vander Sanden for watching over her and who were always there. Visitation: Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 9, 2011, and at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the Mass on Thursday. Service: A Mass of Christian Burial will he held at ST. DENNIS CATHOLIC CHURCH, 505 Dempsey Road, Madison, at 11 a.m. on Thursday, March 10, 2011, with Father Kent Schmitt presiding.