Jeri Cushman

Jeri Cushman, age 76, passed away March 15, 2012. Her gallant spirit carried her through six weeks of difficult therapy following surgery for a hip fracture and a second operation for hip replacement. In spite of her intense determination to recover, she finally succumbed to further complications.

She was born May 28, 1935, in St. Louis, Missouri, daughter of Jerome and Katherine (nee Lacey) Bredall. On September 11, 1960, she was married to Stephen Marshall Cushman, Jr.

Jeri graduated from MacMurray College, Jacksonville, Illinois, with a BA in psychology and from Northwestern School of Nursing, Chicago, with an R.N. Upon graduation from Northwestern, Jeri worked in the ICU at Chicago Wesley Memorial Hospital and then in the recovery room. From 1973-1985 she was the school nuPublish Postrse at Prairie
School, Racine. She taught cardiopulmonary resuscitation in Racine from 1976-1979. Jeri worked as staff nurse at Trinity Memorial Hospital, Cudahy, Wisconsin, from 1987-1994.

A dedicated volunteer, Jeri served our community many ways. She was a volunteer at St. Luke's Hospital, Racine, a member of the Racine Visiting Nurse Association Corporate Board, St. Luke's Hospital Board of Trustees, and the St. Luke's Episcopal Church vestry. She served as president of the Racine County Medical Society Auxiliary, chairman of the Health Careers Medical Exploring Post, and Patron Chairman of St. Luke's Hospital Benefit Party. Her positions in the Wisconsin State Medical Society Auxiliary included: Chairman of the Harrington-Wright Scholarship (Allied Health), Secretary and Vice-President of the Auxiliary, Alliance Legislative Chairman, and chairman of the Alliance Day at the Capitol. Jeri was Board member of the Wisconsin State Medical Society Governmental Affairs Commission, the Wisconsin Physicians Political Action Committee, and a Board member of the Wisconsin Medical Society Physicians Alliance Commission. She was a member of the board of directors of the DeKoven Foundation in Racine for many years. For all of her hard work and dedication, Jeri was nominated for Racine Woman of the year in 1985.

In addition to devoting endless energy to her volunteer work, Jeri had many interests that included sailing, snow skiing, traveling and especially her husband, children and grandchildren. Her lasting interest in sailing included several family sailing trips and reached its pinnacle when she became coordinator of the Sail Racine Tall Ships Festival in 1993 and again in 1998.

Surviving are her husband, Marshall; son, Stephen (Martha Pfarr) Cushman, Milwaukee; daughter, Susan (Michael Mauk), Austin, Texas; a sister, Julie Rovics, St. Louis, Missouri; grandchildren, Margo, Christian, Georgea Cushman, Ellie and Grace Mauk and other relatives and friends.

Visitation will take place on Friday, March 23, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at The DeKoven Center Great Hall, 600 21st St., Racine, WI, followed by the funeral service at 11 a.m. at St. John's Chapel, DeKoven Center. Private interment will take place at Mound Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial remembrances may be sent to the DeKoven Foundation, Racine Community Foundation, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Milwaukee or St. Luke's Episcopal Church.

MARESH-MEREDITH & ACKLAM FUNERAL HOME
803 Main St., Racine (262) 634-7888