Jacqueline Payne

Jacqueline Payne (nee Thompson), age 88 of Wayne, died on Tuesday, January 26, 2021 after a long, hard-fought battle, and she is now at peace.  She has been a resident of Wayne for nearly sixty years.

Jackie was born and raised in Passaic, graduating from Passaic High School with the class of 1950.  Jackie will be remembered at Passaic High School as the cheerleader who was shot in the leg by the team’s cannon, which was fired on the sidelines to celebrate each touchdown. It was also at Passaic High School that she met the love of her life Ted Payne. They married on August 22, 1953 at St. Nicholas Church, followed by a reception at Gene Boyles Restaurant. They honeymooned in Florida. They eventually settled in Wayne, where they raised their family of seven children.

Throughout the years, Jackie volunteered much of her time at the Wayne PAL, starting the peewee cheerleading program and eventually becoming the cheerleading commissioner. She also served as the secretary for the Wayne Valley W Club. She enjoyed watching her children and grandchildren participating in any sport, and she especially loved watching the NY GIANTS and the NY YANKEES. She has long been a fan of Rickie Fowler as well, watching him play golf on TV at every opportunity. Jackie’s second love, next to her family of course, was Atlantic City!  She absolutely loved A.C., and looked forward to her monthly trips.  Harrah’s was her favorite casino, and she would spend hours at Joker Poker. Summer vacations were always down the Shore, from Ocean Beach to Ocean City. Jackie’s 89th birthday would have been on January 31, and her family has planned a celebratory trip to Atlantic City to honor her, and hopefully lady-luck will be on their side!

Jackie was predeceased by her beloved husband Ted in 2011 and Jim's wife JoAnn in 2001. She is survived by her seven children; Cathy Payne, Jim Payne, Barbara Hageman and her husband Gary, Teddy Payne, all of Wayne, Nancy Agel and her husband Charlie of Clifton, Jackie Greer and her husband Rob of Oak Ridge, and Debbie Wierciszewski and her husband Ron of Lyndhurst, grandmother to six; Jimmy, Pat, Kellyn, Taylor, Bobby, and Allie, and GG to five great-grandchildren; Madison, Jordyn, Samantha, Jacob, and Raeann.