Jacqueline “Jackye” Rubin, nee Skoller, passed away on February 18, 2025 on Amelia Island, Florida at the age of 79.

She leaves behind her husband of 60 years, Gary, and her two adoring daughters, Stephanie (Bobby) Weishaar and Beth (John Green) Rubin. She is also survived by her beloved sister, Debe (David) Marofsky, brothers in law, Roger (Barbara) Rubin, Marvin Bell, Howard Bell and Abby Archer, as well as her two devoted grandchildren, Kate (Jake Burga) Weishaar and Ben (Lynden Fausey) Weishaar. Other survivors include many cousins, nieces, nephews, an innumerable number of friends and her headstrong canine companion, Toby.

Jackye also leaves behind a legacy of street smarts and laughter. She was a tough cookie with a very strong character. She would always tell you how it is, no sugar coating. She was preceded in death by both of her parents, her devoted brother, Bruce and her adored sister in law, Roanne Rubin.

Jackye was born on September 14th, 1945 to Ben and Sylvia Skoller. She lost both of her parents by the time she was 16. She led a tough adolescence and worked extra hard to strike out on her own. She met the love of her life on the first day of her freshman year at the Hillel House at the University of Minnesota. She said she knew that day that she “was going to marry that man.” And she did, 3 weeks before her 20th birthday. They got married and they spent their honeymoon moving to Chicago for a job he had gotten.

She went on to graduate from Northeastern Illinois in Education, and also later earned 2 additional Masters degrees. She spent most of her career teaching English and reading at John Hersey High School in Arlington Heights, Illinois. Her students always remembered her as tough, but fair. Many would return years later to thank her for the positive influence she had. She could mark up anything you wrote with a red pen like nobody’s business.

Jackye was a trailblazer as a working mother. She worked full time and managed to raise two daughters who seemingly turned out ok. She did it in partnership with Gary - it was a true partnership where neither had more influence than the other. And because they both grew up in hardship, they instilled a certain work ethic and attitude in their girls that didn’t necessarily match the privilege they were surrounded by growing up in the Chicago suburbs. Since she was working full time and constantly continuing her own higher education, she spent minimal time on the art of cooking and eventually (gratefully) relinquished all culinary duties to Gary. But not before she managed to cook every vegetable in sight to within an inch of its life.

Once the girls were grown up and out of the house, Jackye and Gary soon retired to Florida and began traveling the world. She loved all of their trips and became a seasoned cruiser, traveling throughout Western Europe and the Americas. She also fell into a routine in her new Florida life. She eased into her “retirement” by teaching a class or two at the community college and also by mentoring students through Take Stock in Children. She became heavily involved in the local community joining the welcome committee and eventually joining the board of the Amelia Island Plantation Community Association. Since she was such an extrovert, she easily made friends and began playing mahjong with a small group of them every Monday.

In her last years she was influential in the building of her local community center, The Oaks. She was well known in the community, yet again, for being straightforward in her approach. She will be missed not only by her family, but by the many, many, many friends she made along the way - from Minneapolis to Chicago to Amelia Island. There was only one Jackye Rubin and there will never be another like her.


In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Take Stock In Children, the American Cancer Society or charity of your choice.