Jamie died peacefully in her sleep on September 4, 2021 at the Knox County Nursing Home in Knoxville, Illinois.
She leaves behind her son, Andrew (Drew) J. Ziegler, New Orleans, LA, and three sisters, Janet (Duane Esarey) Johnson, Julie (Christopher Benjamin) Johnson, and Jennifer Johnson. She also had two nephews, John Wittle and Sam Peach and one niece, Julia Peach. She also leaves behind her good friend Russ Schofield.
Jamie was preceded in death by her parents and her life-partner, Hester McCosh.
A 1972 graduate of Galesburg High School, Jamie attended Knox College and later graduated from Eastern Illinois University, SIU-Edwardsville, and Carl Sandburg College, where she later taught in the Early Childhood Education program.
She worked as a teacher, a nurse, a nursing home administrator, and as a health care consultant and trainer. Her favorite work was helping to organize nonprofit organizations, such as the Chillicothe OWLS, a former children’s service organization, and OUR DAILY JOURNEY Weight Loss Support, a community of volunteers helping people who struggle with obesity.
She volunteered at South School in the reading programs, for the Girl Scouts, and for the Alzheimer’s Association. Jamie sang in area senior homes and at the Chillicothe American Legion. She regularly organized fund raisers, and she helped organizations write grants and apply to be recognized as nonprofit.
A consistent friend of Bill W. since 1986, Jamie was also active in the Illinois Art League and in Toastmaster’s International, where she received first place in a humorous speech contest at both club area levels and second place in the district contest. She loved to talk!
Cremation was accorded at Preston Hanley in Pekin, and her ashes were interred at the Chillicothe City Cemetery.
Per her wishes, there will be no services.
A celebration of life gathering for Jamie will be held Sunday, September 19, 2021 from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Lincoln Park, 524 Treadwell Drive, Galesburg, IL. There will be a potluck dinner at the Lincoln Park main Pavilion (by the wading pool) . Bring a dish and celebrate Jamie!
Contributions in Jamie's memory may be made to House of Tulip, P.O. Box 770335 , New Orleans, Louisiana 70177 US or Elysian Meals (Cash app @elysianmeals or Venmo: @elysianmeals504).
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.prestonhanleypekin.com for the Ziegler family.
