Legacy of a beloved mentor blooms

LANSING, Mich. (WILX) - Six weeks ago, the Lansing Parks and Recreation Department lost a beloved member of their family.

Jodi Ackerman, 47, died after having heart valve surgery.

The community she helped raise, left brokenhearted.

On Friday, a way to remember Jodi and grow her legacy.

At the Foster Community Center, a flowering crab tree dedicated Friday in Jodi’s memory.

“The way the tree will grow these beautiful flowers in the spring that we can look forward to; we definitely gave some thought to what tree to choose,” says Brett Kaschinske, director of Lansing Parks & Recreation.

They also have a boulder bench for people to pause, have fun, be safe and learn, Jodi’s famous words. Kaschinske says the bench is next to the playground where kids can take a break and relax, a great spot for it.

Jodi Ackerman ran summer camps, met and mentored many many children for more than a decade.

Jodi’s oldest son Gage McCrimmon says this is a nice way to remember his mom.

Gage also shared this, “There are not words in any language that could describe her. She was just that amazing.”

Jodi Ackerman’s friends have set up a gofundme to help her family with their expenses. They have raised more than $12,000.

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