Obituary of Jean R. Ackerson

ACKERSON Jean R. 89 departed this Life September 5, 2020. Private Cremation. Please keep the Ackerson family in your prayers. The Joseph A. Scarano Pines Memorial Chapel is Honored to assist the Ackerson family with the arrangements. Jean Gerhard Ackerson, 89, passed away September 5, 2020. She was born in 1930 in Chicago, Illinois to parents Werner and Minette Peigh Gerhard. She graduated from Steinmetz High School. She attended the Chicago Art Institute as a young girl still in high school and well on her way to becoming a champion swimmer. Her father was her coach. She missed being a 1948 participant in the Olympics by 1/10th of a second in the freestyle event. As a talented artist she illustrated a newsletter for WWll soldiers previously on the water polo team coached by her father who was also the director of Beilfuss Natatorium. Jean married and moved to Miami, and attended the University of Miami. Had 3 children: Laura, Gary and Sandra Stohl. Jean joined the workforce as secretary in a stock brokerage firm, was self taught and eventually licensed as one of the first women traders in the US. She joined I J Schenin as a partner till the stock market crash of the early 70's. Successful as an over the counter stock broker, even though closing doors of the firm, she continued personal trading. She later divorced and met Bruce Ackerson, the love of her life. His youngest 4 children of 11 joined the home in their teens. She loved tennis, traveling and the arts. She was an avid reader and continued to review the NYT best seller list up until 8/2/20 for her weekly trips to BBC campus of Broward Co. Library. The only place she didn't mind driving for more than 5 minutes!! Jean is survived by a loving and wonderful family: Laura Stohl, daughter, Joan Holth (Allen) sister, Erika Reinhardt Brewer (Phil), Kristen Reinhardt Miller (Jamie) and David Reinhardt Jennifer Stohl Escamilla (Noe), and Eric Stohl, grandchildren. Michael, Lauren and Trey Brewer, great grandchildren. Madeline, Peyton and Meghan Miller, great grandchildren. Jessica and Zach Patterson, Hannah and Lillie Reinhardt, great grandchildren. Victoria, Valentina, Esmeralda, and Violeta, great grandchildren. Jean is also survived by step children : Pam Ackerson Barden (Eliot), Paul Ackerson (Mindy), Susan Ackerson Callahan (Patrick), Janine Ackerson Tribou, Michael Ackerson (Andrea), Mary Ackerson Weinger (Elliott), Joanne Ackerson Marsh (Frank). Jean is preceded in death by her loving husband Bruce Ackerson, Gary Stohl, son, Sandra Wilmoth, daughter. Step children: Bruce Ackerson Jr., Robert Ackerson, Tina Ackerson Mokatoff, and Meighan Ackerson Onarheim. Jean is also survived by many cousins, their spouses and children as well as her long time friend Joyce Hawkins and her family. Her family: Laura, Erika, Kristen, Mike and Andrea , Janie (Janeane), Penny (Mary), Summer, Clay, Jodi and Frank, Susie, Lillie, Pam & Eliot, Chip and Mindy all surrounded her with love and comfort in her last days. She will be so loved and missed forever. RIP MOM. Due to the current pandemic, a future celebration of life is pending. In lieu of flowers please consider sending donations to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.