LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — A memorial was held Friday for Jodi Ackerman, a beloved Lansing Parks and Recreation employee who unexpectedly handed away. She labored there for greater than a decade. On Friday, her family and friends got here out to the Foster Group Heart to honor her legacy.
Memorial held for Jodi Ackerman. (WLNS)
On the memorial, you may really feel how a lot Jodi will likely be missed. Each time there was a second of unhappiness, somebody would point out her large, vivid smile. Others would start to smile simply fascinated about her and the recollections they shared.
Jodi handed away on the age of 47 in March after a deliberate coronary heart surgical procedure failed. In her life, she spent lots of time on the Foster Group Heart working after-school applications and summer time camps.
So, on the memorial, the neighborhood devoted a tree and a bench to Jodi on the middle’s garden close to the playground. In the course of the ceremony, these attending had been requested to lift their hand if Jodi had helped them to be taught and develop. Dozens of fingers went up within the air.
Jodi Ackerman. (Lansing Parks and Recreation)
One in all Jodi’s sons, Gage, together with neighborhood leaders like Mayor Andy Schor, Parks and Rec Director Brett Kaschinske, and Jodi’s Parks and Rec coworker Emily, shared extra about Jodi and the memorial.
“Truly, this has been a devastating loss to me and my family, and words cannot express the thankfulness we have for our friends at Lansing Parks and Recreation,” mentioned Gage.
“On the boulder, a plaque will read the words Jodi lived by and spoke so often: Be safe, have fun, and learn. Simple words, yet powerful,” mentioned Emily.