A Legacy Comes Full Circle

For Jacqueline and Alan Massing, their life together can be traced by a circle that runs through Cleveland not once, but twice. While fate had them meeting in Cleveland as kids, a lifetime spent giving back would have them leaving a legacy at Cleveland Clinic.

As a young child, Jacqueline and her family fled their native France after the country became occupied by Nazis during World War II. She was eventually placed with a foster family in suburban Cleveland.

“As luck would have it, she made friends with the sister of my dad, and that’s how they met,” says their daughter, Michelle Massing.

Jacqueline and Alan married in 1951 and began their life together in Cleveland before moving to California. Alan completed his medical training and built a career as a dermatologist, while Jacqueline became a dynamic partner in both family and professional life, frequently stepping into leadership and service roles in fundraising, education, advocacy and community-building.

“Where she saw a need, she said, ‘I’m going to do something about it,’” says Michelle.

Years later, when Jacqueline was diagnosed with a serious heart condition, she made the decision to travel to Cleveland Clinic for her mitral valve surgery. Gary Massing says his mother always thoroughly researched a topic when solutions were needed. “She was going to have nothing but the best,” he says.

According to Michelle and Gary, the surgery not only prolonged their mother’s life by many years, but impacted their father’s life in a deeply positive way as well. After Alan was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, Jacqueline became his primary caregiver. 
She also founded an exercise program that has offered support, community and improved quality of life for hundreds of people facing Parkinson’s disease.

Alan and Jacqueline passed away in 2024 and 2025, respectively. He was 93; she was 94.

Deeply grateful for the care Jacqueline received, and aligned with their lifelong values, the couple chose to include Cleveland Clinic in their estate plans — a wish that Gary and Michelle are happy to carry out in honor of their parents. They view fulfilling the estate gift as both a responsibility and a privilege.

“My parents believed that when you are blessed to receive help, you pay it forward to create opportunities for others,” says Michelle.

“Their gift has reminded us that there are good things in the world, good people with good intentions,” says Gary. “It’s an honor to carry out their wishes.”