Jewell Palcak
Jewell Dean Palcak, 82, of Powder Springs, GA passed away on May 26, 2020. A private Service for family will take place on Monday, June 1, 2020. At Mayes Ward-Dobbins Macland Chapel with Rev. Barry Lancaster officiating. She is survived by her loving husband Ed Palcak, Sr. of Powder Springs, GA; daughter, Sandra Palcak Jennings of Marietta, GA; son, Eddie Palcak, Jr. (Michele) of Mechanicsville, VA; twin sister, Darlene Stark (Richard) of Omaha, NE; grandson, Justin Lee Jennings of Kennesaw, GA; granddaughter, Alexa Rachelle Jennings of Marietta, GA; and several nieces and nephews. Jewell was preceded in death by her daughter, Deborah Lee Palcak and her parents, Grover & Ioma Foster. Jewell was born in Hiawassee, GA on Sunday, September 26, 1937 to Grover & Ioma Foster. She grew up in Hiawassee, where she graduated from Towns County High School and was a member of Lower Hightower Baptist Church. Jewell was married to her loving husband Ed for 62 years after meeting in Charleston, SC while Ed was stationed in the Navy. They moved to Bridgeport, CT and had 3 loving children, Deborah, Sandra, & Ed, Jr. She worked in food service for Interstate Residences also known as 3030 for 22 years. She enjoyed working in her garden, baking, and cooking for her family, but most of all, she enjoyed when her and Ed would go out dancing, from the dance classes they took together, to the evenings out with their friends. Jewell was very proud to be a southern girl, and even though she lived in Connecticut for many years, she always let people know she was a Georgia girl at heart and was always the embodiment of a true southern lady. Jewell was a loving & nurturing wife, mother, & grandmother. Her smile and loving presence will be greatly missed. Family has asked, due to flower restrictions at Georgia National Cemetery, that donations be made in Jewell Dean Palcak’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association at https://www.alz. org/. All arrangements under the caring guidance of Mayes Ward-Dobbins Funeral Home. www.mayeswarddobbins.com
Reed, who has been a firefighter for about 35 years, is one of many New Rochelle firefighters to be diagnosed with COVID-19, Fire Chief Andrew Sandor said. The department’s captain, Andrew DiMaggio, died from the virus.
This makes Reed’s recovery all the more meaningful, Sandor said.
“Not only are we glad he’s over COVID, he’s just a beloved guy,” said Sandor, adding Reed has had a great impact on the department, from the equipment it uses to the way the firefighters do business.
He has known Reed for 25 years, and Reed his son’s godfather.
“We’re very close,” Sandor said. “John taught me a lot.”
Reed was also a longtime Boy Scout leader in Carmel, N.Y., and is known for being the “first person to jump to help if you ask,” Matthew Reed said. is
He loves the outdoors, traveling and his motorcycle, the son said. Four motorcycles followed the ambulance and other vehicles out of the hospital property.
“I know he can’t wait to get on that (motorcycle) when he’s strong enough,” Matthew Reed said.
New Rochelle was the epicenter of the outbreak in the region, with a 1-mile containment zone being set up in the city.
When John Reed got sick around mid-March, he tried to self-quarantine in his room, but was eventually taken to the hospital for observation due to other complications, his sons said. The family was told he could go home the day after he was admitted.
“At first, it wasn’t a huge deal,” Matthew Reed said. “We weren’t too concerned.”
But then he was put on a ventilator and spent 27 days in a medically induced coma, son Jeff Reed said. He has been off the ventilator for about a week and a half.
Jamie Reed said it meant “everything” to see him leave the hospital.
“I am full of gratitude for God,” she said.
John’s sons said their dad does not like fanfare, but that he was not given a choice on Friday.
“He definitely has touched a lot of people,” Jeff Reed said.