As a fellow Rawson Elementary family, we came to know Jolene Waldref over the years as incredibly kind, caring and helpful. And we were not alone.
Jolene passed away on Jan. 15, possibly freezing to death after falling in the bitter cold near a bus stop outside her job in Milwaukee. Learn more about the sad and tragic circumstances from Fox 6 and TMJ4. From a Journal Sentinel story …
Waldref leaves behind two daughters, ages 14 and 21. Her longtime partner, Kevin, died about six months ago, said former neighbor Jodi Pelczynski. Waldref had served as the caregiver for her partner, who was disabled.
Pelczynski and Waldref lived across the street from each other for about 17 years until Pelczynski moved away from South Milwaukee in October. She has fond memories of their children playing in Pelczynski’s pool and roasting marshmallows in the summertime.
Waldref “adored her daughters,” Pelczynski said, and was a generous and joyful friend.
“She’d give her shirt off her back if you needed it,” Pelczynski said. “Always had a smile, always had a story. Always just loved life.”
Her supervisor at the home health care agency, Deborah Johnson, said Waldref was friendly, outgoing and a hard worker. She had been a caregiver with Life Touches Home Healthcare for much of the last decade and had switched to receptionist work in the last year and a half.
Clients and caregivers alike loved Waldref, Johnson said, and would drop off Christmas gifts for her.
“She was exceptional in this position,” Johnson said. “We should all just be pleasant the way she was.”
A GoFundMe has been set up to help her two surviving daughters. Donate here. From it …
Hi, my name is Shannon and I’m fundraising for Jolene’s daughters Kevina and Kaleia.
On Monday January 16, 2024 Jolene passed away. She had finished work and was waiting for the bus, she slipped on some ice and fell face forward into the snow. She tried calling 911 but the call was dropped. They called back, but she had gone unconscious. She was found over an hour and half later. She died of hypothermia. Her girls have a long road ahead of them. They are still reeling from the loss of their dad 6 months ago.
The funds that are raised will be used to cover the costs of funeral arrangements and things that will be needed for the girls. Kevina (21) will be taking guardianship over Kaleia (14). These kids have had to grow up much too fast. Let’s help make this transition a little less stressful for them.
Did you know Jolene? Post your comments.
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