Geraldine (Geri) Jacoby, nee (Jung) died January 1, 2021 at her home in Palos Park, Illinois surrounded by her entire family. Born December 6, 1929 in Chicago, Geri was the only child of the late Robert and Edna Jung.
Geri grew up in Chicago and at a young age had her first pony ride. That experience started a lifetime love affair with horses. When Geri got her first job, the first thing she did was buy a horse named Snapshot. Snapshot was the beginning of one love that blossomed into another….
Geri was quite a “gal”. God gave her many gifts, including beauty, intelligence and athleticism. As an athlete, Geri excelled in everything. On a horse, Geri was unequaled. In fact, most young men could not keep up with her, but there was one fella who was her match and his name was Bill Jacoby. Geri always told the story of how she’d start getting serious with a suitor and then say to him, so “My horse and I come as a package”. When the suitors were not accepting of this, Geri made it clear that she was keeping her horse and not them! When Geri asked the same question of Bill, his reply was that he liked horses and thought it a great idea to have a barn and they would ride together! That was the right answer and Bill proposed to Geri in the Palos woods and they were married in 1954. Together, they owned many horses over a 65-year period, riding together on the trails of Palos Park.
Geri and Bill have two daughters, Lisa and Catherine who began riding before they could walk and would follow along on ponies and then on family rides for decades. Geri rode her Arabian “Mirage” for the last time when she was 89 years old. Geri has passed the love of horses on to all her grandkids, with her granddaughter Claire being a member of the University of Notre Dame Equestrian team.
Horses were not only Geri’s hobby, but also her work. She managed the Julia Rhea Racing Quarter horse ranch for several years, breeding, breaking and training young horses for the track. It was a tough and dangerous job that required strength, and agility. In her later years, she worked as a secretary for the Principal of a middle school, noting that managing kindergarteners and young horses required similar skill sets.
Geraldine is survived by her husband, Bill and her daughters Lisa Jacoby Reeder (Frank Walczak) and Catherine Jacoby Conroy. Geri has four grandchildren that she adored, Lauren Reeder (Robert) Wawrzyniak, Eric Reeder, Claire Conroy and Cole Conroy. Geri was also fortunate to live long enough to know her two great grandbabies, Theodore and Eloise Wawrzyniak.
Geraldine was a devout Catholic, and a member of the “blue army” saying the rosary every morning for decades. She was known for her deep and unwavering faith in God which inspired all around her. She was also a founding member of Our Lady of the Woods Catholic church.
Among all the gifts that Geraldine forged in her life, the greatest was the strong family foundation she and Bill built. Geraldine cherished her close and loving family – daughters who are best friends, who remained nearby always, with grandkids and great grandchildren that will carry on her legacy of faith in God and devotion to family.
Due to COVID there will be no wake. A celebration of her life will take place on Friday January 8, 2021 at 10:30am at Our Lady of the Woods Catholic Church located at 10731 W 131st St, Orland Park, IL 60462. Please visit church website www.ourladyofthewoods.org to register for the service.
Interment will be private at a later date at the family’s burial plot located at Saint Catherine’s cemetery in Hagaman Illinois.
Mass will be lived streamed. https://youtu.be/rVDWJnTmyWA
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