Jacqueline “Jackie” Muller (née Russell) died at Hospice of Laramie on January 11th, 2025 at the vivacious and boisterous age of 99 after exhausting her incredible joie de vivre and lust for life. Jackie’s life was filled with creativity, generosity, and intellectual pursuits.
Jackie was born October 26th, 1925 in Arden, Delaware – a town that was “a socially and politically idealist community where artists, musicians, and all sorts gathered.” She was the youngest of three girls, to Bertha Whiteside and Lewis Russell – “a will-of-the-wisp” who flitted in and out of her life as a child until permanently disappearing into the wilds of Canada sometime between 1927 and 1929.
Jackie and her siblings, Anne Smock, Margaret “Marge” Bloomer, and Bill Brooks were primarily raised by their mother Bertha Whiteside (1899 – 1989), grandfather, Fred Willard Whiteside (1869 – 1937) and stepfather, Earl “Pap” Brooks. The family grew up in a cottage with a screened in porch, outside toilet, and a hand pump for water. Sister Marge remarked about Pap that “he took over the fathering of three girls, who were not his, and made our lives more pleasurable than they certainly would have been otherwise.” Jackie enjoyed her primary schooling at the then Tatnall School for Girls in Wilmington, Delaware, which at the time was held at the first floor of Mrs. Tatnall’s home.
Upon graduating high school in 1943, Jackie briefly attended the University of Chicago which was a poor fit and she took a year-long pause to work as an office manager and typist. Between 1945 to 1947, Jackie attended Antioch College in Yellow Springs, Ohio which she enjoyed immensely. She would have completed her degree at Antioch, however, her funds for schooling were cut off. Jackie opted to return to Chicago and for the subsequent four years worked many odd jobs including at a credit department store, at an ice cream equipment factory, and at a Jewish settlement house.
In 1951, Jackie made the move that would forever change her life when she decided to go back to school at the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana (UICU) to complete her teaching degree. Within a week, Jackie was cajoled into going to a mixer where she locked eyes with the man who would become her husband and the love of her life, Burton Harlow Muller (1924 – 2017) who was working on his PhD in Physics.
Upon hearing Jackie introduced as Jackie Russell, Burt quipped, “Any relation to Bertrand?”–in reference to the famous British philosopher and mathematician. Not missing a beat, Jackie replied with a twinkle of laughter behind her eyes, “Why yes, he’s my stuffy uncle!” It should be noted for the dear readers of the obituary, that Jackie was not, in fact, related to Bertrand Russell. The spark of delight and wit between the pair was electric and they quickly fell in love, beginning the partnership of a lifetime. Burt apparently had his heart set on Jackie and was set to propose within three months. He went back to New York to see his parents and show his parents photographs of the girl he planned to marry.
The pair immediately became a unit and worked together as Burt set about finishing his PhD dissertation on atomic spin-lattice structures and doctoral defense. Jackie later recalled begrudgingly typing the entirety of his thesis, and reading his “dreadful handwriting”, with a wink and sardonic smile. She would recall later with amazement and consternation about the-latter inventions of erasing typewriters and the eventual later ease and speed of computers.
In order to marry Burt and be married under a rabbi, she converted to Judaism under Rabbi Ferdinand Myron Isserman in St. Louis Missouri —largely to meet the expectations of Burt’s Orthodox parents. Jackie described the process that Isserman adhered to as rushed and higglety-pigglety, her education on the matter rather lacking. In the early 1950s, virtually no one “wanted to convert” considering the rampant antisemitism and discrimination in the United States and world so the rules for conversion were less stringent than current standards. Raised a mixture of pacifist Quaker and agnostic, Jackie entered a complicated relationship with Judaism and rarely identified herself as Jewish. Burt and Jackie were married on February 24, 1952 in St. Louis, Missouri by Rabbi Isserman at her sister Margie’s home.
Burt turned down job offers from Dartmouth and Yale, instead choosing the enticing salary and research opportunities offered by University of Wyoming. Jackie wholeheartedly supported the decision, fondly remembering a camping and photography trip out to Yellowstone she had taken with Pap, MaBertie, and brother Bill when she was a preteen.
The pair packed up their life in Illinois and moved to Laramie, Wyoming in the summer of 1953. Jackie wistfully remembered being kindly welcomed by the “Newcomer’s Club” a club run by wives of faculty. The pair initially moved into a small home called Dray Cottage and became pregnant with their oldest daughter, Lisa, who would later become an Institutional Analysis Research Scientist, was born in late summer of 1954.
The cottage proved a bit cramped for a growing family and by 1956, the pair purchased a beautiful home on 19th St which they owned and Jackie lived in until the last three years of her life. She became lifelong friends with her nextdoor neighbors Erma and Everret as well who was always there to depend on. Their youngest daughter, Greta, who would go on to be a Professor of Linguistics, was born in 1957.
Jackie dove into the act of motherhood in an artistic fashion, engaging both Lisa and Greta in piano lessons, ballet, folk dance, and theater while encouraging their studies in school. She was involved in helping costume productions and stayed backstage during performances should any wardrobe malfunction arise while whispering the lines the children were missing under her breath.
In the 1950s, assimilation into Americana was a common path for many Jewish families, and Jackie and Burt were no exception. The pair lived primarily as cultural Jews than religious ones. Burt had mixed feelings shaped by an Orthodox upbringing and Jackie, comparing herself to Burt’s devout mother and extended family, often felt she was unable to identify herself as Jewish. Her reasoning was that her lack of religious practice made her inept, despite being the driving force in ensuring her daughters enjoyed Jewish festivals at home. The family celebrated a mixture of Jewish holidays like Passover and Chanukah, while also incorporating nonreligious versions of Christmas and Easter. This balancing act reflected both a desire for integration and a response to the widespread antisemitism of the time—discrimination in housing, education, and public life was still prevalent well into the mid-1960s. Their experience reflects the challenges of maintaining identity while simultaneously being quiet about it in a place where being different was always noticed.
In that vein, it was always a great disappointment to Jackie that she was not allowed to use her teaching degree due to sexism and antisemitism. In an interview recalling her life, she recalled speaking with the Albany County School District Superintendent who blatantly inferred that he would not hire a married woman, especially not a Jewish one with children. Jackie did not ever let this roadblock and disappointment stop her from continuing her passion for learning and service. She took many opportunities to volunteer at the local library, the UWYO Art Museum, the Ivinson Memorial gift shop, helping with Democratic party functions, and faculty parties, hosting and cooking many delicious dinner parties.
She took nongraded courses at the University in Italian, French, and English. She continued nurturing a deep love of etymology, literature, and the arts. She was a voracious reader and it was noted her favorite book in the world was her giant two-volume set of the Oxford English Dictionaries which was used frequently and displayed near the dinner table upon a special ornate wooden stand. The useful secondary favorite was 1913’s “Putnam’s Word Book: A Practical Aid in Expressing Ideas through an Exact and Varied Vocabulary.”
For pragmatic fun, Jackie enjoyed crewel embroidery and knitting which resulted in a famously hilarious occasion of her gifting a sweater to Burt in pieces: one half of the front for his birthday, the second half for Chanukah, and finally the back section for their anniversary. Jackie also adored folk and square dancing, enjoying the Quadra Dangle Folk Dance Club, which Burt (who was not fond of dancing) joined solely to indulge his beloved wife.
Beginning in 1959 and in the later 1960s, the family took summer pleasure trips and working sabbaticals to Vancouver, British Columbia to work with Burt’s good friend, fellow UICU alumni, and lifelong physics colleague, Myer Bloom (1928-2016). The physics professor pair would work on nuclear magnetic resonance experiments (precursor work to modern MRI machines) while Jackie and the girls would enjoy time with Peggy Bloom and her children. These summer visits created a total love affair with the BC area causing Jackie and Burt to spend later years snowbirding in Vancouver with the pair being incredibly fond of dining out, hiking, and exploring Vancouver’s hidden gems.
The family moved abroad several times besides to Vancouver. During 1965-1966 and 1971-1972, Burt had opportunities for year-long sabbaticals in England.The first year-long sabbatical in Nottingham and the second in Canterbury. Jackie and the girls came along for a wild adventure. The house they rented was next door to children’s author Hilda Lewis and was near the Elizabethan Manor of Wollaton Hall and Gardens. Jackie made many friends in England and also dove head first into the language and culture scene. These sabbaticals allowed the family to go on a grand adventures to Austria, Ljubljana in then Yugoslavia (now Slovenia), Holland (now the Netherlands) and Jackie’s big solo adventure to Italy which she joined her sister Margie and in-law Steve Bloomer for an art class spanning many of the famous art museums she had dreamed of going to.
The late 1970s and 1980s were marked by both joy and hardship for Jackie and Burt. They celebrated their daughters’ marriages and the births of their first two granddaughters, Heather and Rose. Jackie embraced her new role as a grandmother, affectionately utilizing the moniker “MaJack,” a name passed down from her own mother, “MaBertie.”
These years also brought profound losses: the deaths of their parents, Jackie’s best friend Diana, and Burt’s diagnosis with prostate cancer. Despite undergoing painful treatment in the early 1980s, Burt recovered and took a congressional fellowship in Washington, D.C., working on nuclear nonproliferation with Senator Ed Markey under President Reagan. Jackie joined him there, supporting his work. Unfortunately, his cancer returned by the late 1980s, prompting his retirement from the University of Wyoming. Jackie followed suit, declaring, “I, too, am retiring,” and began scaling back on household duties and cooking, embracing a more restful chapter of life.
Jackie and Burt set about enjoying their retirement in earnest. Their lives were filled with frequent rituals of daily meals and walks, card games, traveling, camping, political rabble rousing, and above all, cherishing their growing family of granddaughters with Abby and Raveena joining family in the 1990s.
Jackie and Burt were devoted, caring, and involved grandparents to their gaggle of four granddaughters. Jackie was a stickler for all the details with an impeccable memory. All events – big or small, birthdays, anniversary, performances, presentations, graduations were never missed, even if it was just a card but more often they always made sure to always show up in person. All the grandchildren spent significant chunks of time at their home, with extended stays there as children and even in adulthood. “MaJack” and “PaBurt” loved reading aloud, helping with homework, playing cards and board games, and having lengthy discussions. As grandparents, the two went far beyond the call of duty, providing immense support, stability, and calm steadfast presence in their granddaughters’ lives.
The early 2000s were spent between Laramie, Iowa, and Vancouver. At home in Laramie, the pair would often be seen walking around Washington Park every day, walking at a matching stride. Burt and Jackie were deeply devoted to one another, sharing a rare closeness, mutual respect, friendship, and never argued except when packing. They were able to enjoy watching their granddaughters graduate high school, watch them go to college, and be present for a few weddings.
In 2014, Burt celebrated his 90th birthday with many friends and family joining and celebrating his accomplishments. Unfortunately it was also around this time that he began displaying symptoms of Alzheimers which progressed quickly. Jackie did her very best to take care of Burt during this period, with family and caretakers coming to help care for his daily needs later on. In May of 2017, his condition had deteriorated and it was time for hospice. During that week, Jackie slept on the pull out couch beside him, lovingly stroking his hair for hours, telling him how much she loved him, and how lucky she felt to have spent her life with him. He passed away on the 23rd of May that year, surrounded by family. The two spent 65 years of marriage together while Burt was alive.
Jackie was able to live happily in the family home until 2022 because of the loving home support of her daughters and granddaughters, frequent check-ins from longtime friends, as well as the many companions and caretakers, many of whom became stalwart admirers and friends of Jackie.
Jackie stayed her final 3 years of life at Cottonwood Health and Rehabilitation Center (Laramie’s Nursing Home). She was a beloved resident, becoming a favorite of many CNAs, Nurses, PTs, and OTs on staff.
Jackie found joy in thoughtful communication, often exchanging warm, articulate emails with friends and family on topics ranging from art and politics to shared memories. She adapted to modern technology with enthusiasm, learning to use an iPad to play solitaire and match-three games, read The New York Times, and watch her favorite ballet and ice skating performances on YouTube. She was especially delighted by the ability to video chat with loved ones on Zoom and Google Meet, cherishing her conversations. Her passion for learning never faded—she remained engaged in discussions about language, history, etymology, and world affairs, always eager to explore new ideas. She was loving and kind, embracing LGBTQ+ rights, and supporting progressive causes for peace.
On her final birthday, (her 99th), she got to enjoy many visits and cards from her friends, family, and the staff at Cottonwood. She had several mini celebrations throughout the month with Lisa, Rose, grandson-in-law Patrick, and dear friend Phyllis Carlson. She enjoyed a walk around Washington park, a ukulele serenade, delicious desserts sent by granddaughter Heather, a superb roast beef dinner, and many a caterwauled collage of birthday songs sung by her family in Iowa and Canada on zoom.
Throughout her life and even in her final years, Jackie was intellectually curious, vibrant, and kind to everyone she met. Her final days were filled with conversation, warmth, and resilience and deep familial bonds. Her legacy is one of warmth, fierce loyalty, and good humor.
Jackie was preceded in death by her husband, Burton Harlow Muller; her sisters, Margaret “Marge” Bloomer, and Anne Smock; and her brother, Bill Brooks. She leaves behind daughters Lisa Muller and Greta Levis; son-in-law John Levis; granddaughters Heather Scott, Rose Gardner, Abigail “Abby” Schaefer, and Raveena Levis; grandson-in-laws Patrick Gardner and Brad Schaefer; great-grandchildren Nadia Schaefer and Alexander Levis; nieces Hansi Tripe, Shelly Bloomer, Carolyn Bloomer, Sandy Smock Birkenmaier and Sara Muller; plus a wide circle of friends and extended family who cherished her dearly. Special mention to devoted friends who checked in on Jackie often in her last decade of life: Phyllis Carlson, Joan Schabron, Lorraine Saulino-Klein, Sarah Gorin, Cathy Dodson, Denise Pierre, Lars and Petra Eurenius, Monica Sand, and Noëlle Allais.
A belated celebration of life will be held in August 2025. For further details, please contact Rose Gardner at rose.jacqueline.gardner@gmail.com
Should you wish to make a charitable donation in her honor, please consider donating to charities that were close to Jackie’s heart: the Downtown Clinic in Laramie (https://www.downtownclinic.org), Interfaith of Laramie (https://www.laramieinterfaith.org), or Chelsea’s Fund (https://chelseasfund.org) of Lander, WY.
