She was a lifelong resident of Northern Cook County, grew up in Glenview, was a Glenbrook South alum and was a successful high school and collegiate swimmer. Jackie found her calling in the medical field working in a variety of positions as she had a passion for helping people. For those that knew her well, she was a character; she loved to laugh, loved comedy, and had a special way about her. In
2018, Jackie’s doctors determined she had a cyst that needed to be removed near her o***y, and she underwent what was thought to be a minor procedure. After nearly six hours in the operating room, doctors reported to the family that her ovaries were filled with cancer that they had to remove. Additionally, they reported that “She most certainly will need chemotherapy.” After a year of treatment, hair-loss, fatigue, and all the side effects that go along with chemo, there was a time when the testing showed that Jackie was cancer free. Post treatment, doctors prescribed numerous chemotherapy maintenance drugs which Jackie was required to take. These drugs had tremendous side effects, which placed her into cardiac arrest one night in December 2019. Thanks to quick reactions by her parents and skilled paramedics, she was revived although unconscious, and placed in intensive care on a ventilator. In the emergency room, doctors informed the family, “Your daughter is very sick, and we haven’t seen anyone this sick come through in quite some time.” Needless to say, the family felt this could be the end. However, miraculously Jackie woke up after three days on a ventilator. She was not out of the woods though, and spent nearly one month in intensive care, and another in the hospital and rehab, before she could go home. At this time, the family had a renewed sense that she had made it through the most difficult phase and would go on to live a long life. Later that year, after numerous rounds of testing, the cancer did resurface. This time, Jackie underwent various forms of radiation and alternative therapies to combat the cancer. As the year progressed, the family remained hopeful that she would once again beat the disease. In late 2020 Jackie grew ill again. Doctors didn’t know if it was the disease or the treatment, but she was so sick that she couldn't walk. It was just after Christmas, 2020, when she left home for the last time. Jackie spent the last six months of her life in the hospital and rehab facility where her body continued to diminish, ultimately being placed into hospice, and passing away on July 11, 2021. Her parents, Marla and Michael Schneider, and her brother, Matthew and his family were relentless in providing love and support to Jackie during this time. They were there every step, every treatment, every win, and every loss. Marla’s and Michael’s wish is that no parent should see their child suffer the way she did.
