December 3, 1948 – November 18, 2002
My sister, Jackie, was the second child of seven. Of us all, she was most definitely the sweetest. She had an innocent heart which made her gullible to a fault. She would believe most anything she was told. She was skittish and could be spooked easily. But on the other hand, that is what made her so lovable and easy to know.
She could make friends easily just because of her openness and friendly spirit. Jackie was a beautiful woman, not just from her outward appearance but mainly because she was so good natured, believed the best in people and had an appealing personality. She truly loved life and her huge smile and laughter attested to that joy. She laughed easily and always enjoyed a good time.
Jackie was a stay-at-home mom for most of her life. She briefly worked after getting married right after high school graduation. That marriage did not last, but her next marriage produced three wonderful children, Patricia, Shane, and Heather. She moved back to Festus from St. Louis to be closer to family and to raise her children as a single mother.
Jackie could spend hours reading her Harlequin romance novels and you never called her when her soap operas were on television. There was no such thing as a quick visit with Jackie, whether it be in person or on the phone. She loved traveling and was able to do quite a bit in her later years.
At Christmas, she loved putting up her “ceramic village.” In the beginning it started out small, able to be displayed on a coffee table. But that was short-lived. It didn’t take long before she had to start putting the village together by Thanksgiving. Two huge pieces of plywood were needed for the village that quickly grew into a bustling city. She was constantly looking for pieces to add. Before long it took up half of the basement where she lived. She also loved brass knick-knacks. She had a collection in a curio cabinet and you would find her cleaning and polishing them meticulously. It was almost therapeutic for her.
Jackie lived long enough to see her first grandchild and it wasn’t until she died that we found out another was on the way. She ended with three grandchildren to continue her legacy of love, laughter, and joy. Even though she did not know any of her grandchildren, they know their Grandma Jackie.
A rare and aggressive cancer took her life quickly. She died like all of us could only hope for, to be surrounded by family. And though her life is extinguished, her light shines as brightly as ever.
Submitted by Ellen (Pigg) Hayes, Jackie’s sister, Assisted by Heather Meador (Jackie’s daughter)
