Jackie Wright Quitevis, 68, of Lubbock passed away on Friday, April 15, 2016. Jackie was born on October 19, 1947 in Cincinnati, Ohio to Jack E. and Dorothy Wright. She attended schools in Cincinnati and Youngstown, Ohio before moving to Pompano Beach, Florida. She graduated from Pompano Beach High School in 1965. From 1966 to 1969 she attended the University of South Florida, where she was an honor student and was elected to Golden Key Honor Society in 1967. Her major subjects were French, Russian, and Music Education. She then earned a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education in 1971 from Florida Atlantic University. During the 1970's to the early 1980's she taught first grade at Lake Shipp Elementary School in Winter Haven, Florida. She was a loving, devoted first grade teacher who led her students to be very successful. Jackie was chosen as Teacher of the Year for her outstanding skills and dedication in 1979. She also attended the University of South Florida where she earned a Master's degree in Elementary Education and was elected to Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society in 1975. After a successful teaching career, Jackie returned to being a student herself, when she drove from Central Florida to settle in Lubbock, Texas to attend graduate school at Texas Tech University. Her goal was to pursue a doctoral degree, so that she could play a part in determining the cause of learning disabilities in children. Initially, she started her graduate work in the Department of Psychology at TTU but moved to the Texas Tech Health Sciences Center where she obtained a Ph.D. in Physiology in 1993. From 1993 to 2015 she was a Professor at South Plains College where she taught Anatomy and Physiology. She married Edward L. Quitevis in 1986 in Lubbock, Texas and was a loving and devoted wife and companion.
Jackie came from a musically gifted family. She began playing the accordion at the age of nine and participated in many accordion competitions at a high level, winning many awards such as the Florida State contest in 1965. As a first grade teacher, Jackie shared her talent of playing the accordion with the students and staff. She played for talent shows, PTA meetings, and faculty luncheons. She also played the baritone horn in symphonic bands in high school and college. She continued playing the baritone in brass ensembles at South Plains College. She also enjoyed playing the piano.
Jackie was an active member of Christ the King Cathedral Church and a very devoted Catholic. She shared her musical talents and was director and pianist of the Celebration Choir for over 30 years. She loved her church family and cherished the friendships of all the choir members.
Jackie was preceded in death by her parents and one sister, Deborah Shelgren. Survivors include her husband, Ed; her nephew John Zazik and his wife Melissa of Yorba Linda, California; and her brother-in-law Caesar Quitevis of San Francisco, California.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Society. Condolences may be given and viewed at our website at www.resthavenfuneralhome.com. Arrangements under the direction of Resthaven Funeral Home & Memorial Park, Lubbock, TX.
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