Jacqueline Helene Patterson

Mrs. Jacqueline “Jackie” Helene Patterson (nee Waldman) of Plantation Florida, passed away on Thursday, November 23, 2017 at her home.  Jackie is survived by her loving husband Tom, her adoring sisters, Norma Chankin, Corinne Luria and Maxine Robbins, and extended family. Jackie was born on May 19, 1943 in Philadelphia, Pennsylania, to Phyllis Rubin and Herman Waldman and was raised with her grandparents, Mike and Florrie Rubin, in a traditional Jewish home.  Jackie married the love of her life, Thomas Patterson on March 24, 1972.  Jackie received her degree in Physics from Temple University and worked as a Physicist for the US Army for 2 years.  Jackie, believing that math was pure fun, ultimately choose to pursue a career as an educator making mathematics understandable for tens of thousands of students over a long and successful career spanning 30 years.  Tom and Jackie were a team in work and life, sharing 3 sabbatical trips of 14 months each in order to travel the globe and return to share what they had learned and experienced with their students, co-workers, friends and family.  Jackie and Tom retired in 1997, maintaining their homes in Philadelphia and Plantation for many years, settling permanently and happily in Plantation, Florida.  Jackie became active in her community, serving on the boards of the Plantation Historical Museum, Helen Hoffman Plantation Library and her homeowner’s association.  Besides doting on Tom, Jackie enjoyed gourmet cooking, she was a tremendous reader consuming at least 5 books weekly, speaking with her adoring sister Norma and enjoying lunches with her dear girlfriends and listening to Tom wax on about the intricacies of baseball and football. As a testament to her sweet soul, beautiful and gentle demeanor and her continual caring for our world throughout her life, Jackie has supported and donated to charities spanning far and wide.  Although too numerous to mention, Jackie was always dedicated to ensuring her contributions went to important causes and supporting children globally.  A brilliant woman of great beauty, Jackie possessed a radiant smile, fabulous sense of humor, hilarious laughter and the kindest of hearts.  For Tom, family and friends, community and all the students and faculty who were enriched by knowing her, this loss is as immeasurable as her devotion is enduring.    The family will be receiving visitors and guests to honor Jackie on Thursday, November 30, 2017 from 6 PM thru 8 PM at T.M Ralph Plantation Funeral Home, 7001 NW 4th St (NW 70th Ave and NW 4th St) Plantation, FL 33317 Those who wish to make a donation in Jackie’s memory may send it to the Plantation Historical Museum or the Helen Hoffman Plantation Library. Those wishing to send flowers in Jackie’s memory may send them to T.M Ralph Plantation Funeral Home, 7001 NW 4th St. Plantation, FL 33317