Jacqueline Jean Goldberg

You could say Jackie lived the quintessential American dream. She grew up poor during the depression. Her father died of lung cancer when she was 11. Her mother, who had eloped at age 17, was disowned by her parents because her husband belonged to a different faith, though there are reports that Jackie’s Grandfather would sneak over to see the family without telling his wife. With medical bills and no husband, her mother had to work, but couldn’t make enough money to feed her four children. The family went hungry and used cardboard to block the holes in their shoes. They would visit an aunt on Sundays where they could count on getting a meal. So they could get the care they needed, her mother made the difficult decision to place her children in an orphanage.

In college, which she self-funded working various jobs, Jackie was determined to get to know a particular handsome and brilliant teacher’s assistant. Art, her future husband and love of her life, also came from a struggling family and she dropped out temporarily to get a job to help fund his PhD. Art used his education and unique gifts to develop infrared measurement devices for industrial applications. He and his business partner George marketed the devices via their successful company, Ircon.

In addition to having her four children, Jackie was always busy, active in the B’nai B’rith, attending bridge tournaments and marketing for the Skokie Art guild where she took classes. She didn’t shy from more challenging endeavors, fearlessly becoming a girl scout leader and cub den mother.

Jackie returned to school at age 41, became a CPA and started her own financial advice business, Arthur Financial. She named it after her 1st client, her husband, who by this time had sold Ircon. She flourished in the investment world where she bought and sold stocks and also invested in real estate.

Jackie and Art never forgot their parent’s struggles and modest beginnings. They donated generously to charity and always had an open door for family and friends. They took in Art’s parents in their last few years, renovating the master bedroom and adjoining study with his parent’s furniture, and even the carpeting from their apartment so it would feel like home. Whenever needed they welcomed numerous family and friends into their home when they were recuperating, or otherwise needed a place to stay.

Jackie always valued integrity, and friends and family could always depend on her wise counsel and discretion. Jackie leaves a legacy of generosity and kindness and will be missed by many.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a charity of your choice.