Jacqueline Anne Rush

December 10, 1952 – September 17, 2021

Jackie left us on 17th September, 2021. Born in Kenora to Alice and Pat Rush, she leaves behind her partner of 36 years, Bruce Hoard, her stepson Bill Hoard (Helen) and grandchildren, Hogan and Harlo and their mother Vonda, her sister Erin (Louis) Roussin, her brothers Kelly (Claudine) and Mike (Joanne).

In laws, Doug and Marlene Hoard, sisters-in-law Linda SJonnesson (Larry), Cathy (Ray) Laguerre, Nancy (Henry) Davidson and brother in law Rodney (Cathy) Hoard.

She will also never be forgotten by her nieces, Kristie and Kaylie and nephew, Jesse.

She had numerous close friends that she has kept over the years .... Maria and Mike, Wendy and Dave, Linda and Norm, Merle, Dawn, Carolyn, Pat and Frank to name just a few.

Jackie was employed in a number of great jobs - Human Resources at the Hospital, Coordinator of youth employment services with Futures at Confederation College, self-employment under a contract with Service Canada, and employment and counselling services with the Academy from which she retired in 2010. She made many lasting contacts with her work colleagues over the years and helped numerous people obtain training and meaningful employment.

She had many loves in life!

• Gardening - her yard was always a pleasure to visit to look at her flowers and to see what was growing in her and Bruce’s vegetable garden. When it was harvest time, many people were recipients of her tomatoes, beans, and cucumbers after she got tired of canning and making salsa. She would share recipes but would laugh if she forgot to give a specific instruction saying that yours couldn’t be better than hers on the first try!

• Curling - not only was she a great curler as her team mates, Merle, Dawn, and Carolyn will attest to but she always had so much fun from “dressing up” to winning bonspiels at times without trying. They remain great friends to this day.

• Cooking and baking - it was always a treat to be on the receiving end of a dinner invitation to her house or a warm loaf of some kind from her oven made with that extra rhubarb or zucchini from her garden.

• Knitting - she could knit/purl and pick up those lost stitches without blinking an eye. She even taught a course at the College and helped many friends who were struggling with reading patterns on how to do something.

• Church teas and sales in the fall - loved those “church lady” sandwiches

• Sioux Narrows in the summer - she spent many hours at Maria’s camp where there was always much laughter, swimming, picnics and cribbage tournaments that she usually won!

• Travel - she wandered through several European cities on trips with girlfriends

• Reading - usually a couple of books on the go and loved a wide variety of genres

• Crossword puzzles - Bruce always got her daily paper to not only read but to do the crossword puzzles and would laugh when she couldn’t spell something and say “no wonder I didn’t get that one”.

• Her dog Katie - an unexpected addition to the household who soon learned to rule the roost and trained Jackie well.

A typical Irish lass who was always up for a party and so much fun to be with. There are many words that can describe Jackie - fun loving, a true friend and partner, stubborn, hated change, recalcitrant (she’s probably smiling at those of you who have to look up that word), could easily laugh at herself and what she called some of her stupid moments.

A testament to her life partner, Bruce, is the love, care and support he provided to Jackie. She will be missed by relatives and many friends from all walks of life.

In accordance with Jackie’s wishes, there will not be a funeral service. A small celebration of life will be held at a date to be confirmed and by invitation only.

Jackie did not wish for flowers to be sent after her passing. However, should anybody wish, donations may be given to Jackie’s favourite charity, The Salvation Army.

“DEATH LEAVES A HEARTACHE NO ONE CAN HEAL, LOVE LEAVES A MEMORY NO ONE CAN STEAL” - Irish Proverb