Neola Corliss Jacobson, nee Hageman, Brink, passed peacefully surrounded by her family on Thursday (Feb. 9, 2017). Neola was born in Chicago, Ill. on July 18, 1923 to Andrew and Edna (Williamson) Brink. She grew up in Chicago near Lake Michigan and recalled many fond memories of the exciting life growing up in the Windy City. She was preceded in death by her parents, her two brothers, Clarence Budwash and Leroy Brink, and a lifetime full of friends and acquaintances.
Neola’s young adult life was quite similar to others who grew up during WWII. She married Samuel Hageman in December, 1942 at the tender age of 19. Shortly after, Samuel joined the Navy and fought in WWII while Neola joined many other women in the workforce, taking a job with AB Dick Printing in Chicago. When Samuel returned safely home from war, Neola and Sam moved to Park Forest, a suburb of Chicago, where they raised three daughters.
After raising her three girls, Neola devoted her life to caring for developmentally delayed, disabled, and elderly dementia patients, first in a position at Elisabeth Ludeman Center (Park Forest), and then at The Club, an adult day care center for people with dementia/Alzheimer’s. After she started losing her sight due to macular degeneration, Neola still volunteered where she could, rolling silverware for meals at an elderly nutrition site in Park Forest. In 2005, Neola moved east to join two of her daughters in Alfred, NY, living first in the Rose Apartments and then Updyke’s Willow Ridge (Hornell), and finally Elderwood formerly Saint James Mercy Care (Hornell) when her needs for care increased.
Neola was a bedrock for her family and a model of benevolence and social grace. Although Neola lost her sight nearly twenty years ago and was losing her hearing during the past year, up until her final days, Neola had a keen mind, and she devoted her time to nurturing her relationships with family, friends, and caregivers. Neola’s gentleness and gracious spirit touched everyone she met. She will be forever remembered for her kindness, charity, and unending mercy and understanding.
Neola is survived by her three daughters: Lynne Bunke (Frank), Judith Rearick, and Joanne Hageman; eight grandchildren: Michelle Drouin (PC) Sarah Hoffman, Rachel Johnston Pires (Alexander), Karl Wehle (Rommie), Shaun Wehle, (Amber), Lauren Rearick, Kelsey Hageman, and Christopher Rearick; and seventeen great grandchildren: Brett and Nate Hoffman, Alexander, Brendon, and Samantha Goble, Taylor and Brooklyn Engle, Karl, Jacob, Abigail, Hailley, Jasiah and Madison Wehle, Jack and Isla Pires, and Tyler and Noah Drouin.
A memorial service will be held in Indiana later in the year to celebrate Neola's life with her family. Arrangements are under the direction of Baker-Swan Funeral Home in Andover.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Box of Books Library, 1 West University Street, Alfred, NY 14802.
