Rosanne Jacks (nee Miller) passed away peacefully at her daughter’s home, surrounded by family and wrapped in her daughter’s loving embrace.
Rosanne was born in Indianapolis, IN, on July 27, 1935, the first child of Mahlon and Loa Miller. She grew up in Fort Wayne, IN, and earned her BA from DePauw University in Greencastle, IN. After graduating from DePauw, Rosanne married her college sweetheart, Bob Jacks, in August of 1957. Bob passed away in June 2002, just two months shy of their 45th wedding anniversary.
Rosanne launched her career in special education in Princeton, NJ, while Bob attended Princeton Theological Seminary. After brief moves to Medford, OR, Wyandotte, MI, and Indianapolis, IN, Rosanne and Bob returned to Princeton in 1967. Bob began his teaching career at Princeton Theological Seminary, and Rosanne took time away from teaching to raise a family while earning her MA from Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ.
When their youngest entered kindergarten, Rosanne resumed her teaching career, first as a teacher at (and later as principal of) The Newgrange School, offering individualized instruction to students who were not learning to their full potential in a traditional classroom setting. Rosanne’s passion for teaching extended into retirement, as she continued mentoring and tutoring young students in her home.
Throughout her life, Rosanne pursued many interests, including extensive volunteer work, gardening (earning the title Master Gardener), reading, knitting, and other fiber arts. Upon retirement, Rosanne discovered a love of travel and enjoyed many globe-trotting adventures with family and friends. Rosanne remained in the Princeton area until 2021, when she moved to Wisconsin to be with her daughter.
Rosanne was a longtime, active member of Nassau Presbyterian Church in Princeton, NJ.
Rosanne is survived by her three children, Daniel (Adrienne Kilin) Jacks, Lisa (Al) Cantrell, and Stephen (Molly) Jacks; her grandchildren, Andrew, Matthew (Jieyang), Marta and Elisa Cantrell, and Ellie and Maia Jacks; and her sister, Cindy (Doug) Shock.
A Memorial Service will be held in the spring. Memorial donations can be made to Nassau Presbyterian Church, 61 Nassau Street, Princeton, NJ 08542-4502.
