Jacklyn C Howard

Jackie was born on December 1, 1942 in Wood River, Illinois, to Jack and Opal Walker. She grew up in Wood River and graduated from East Alton High School in 1960. After graduation, she attended Ottawa University in Ottawa, Kansas. She graduated with a degree in Sociology and worked in the Family and Community Service Division for the Franklin County Department of Social Welfare in Ottawa. She met and married Roger Howard on June 12, 1965 in Wood River, Illinois.

Roger and Jackie moved to Grand Junction in 1968 and Roger started a teaching job with the MCVSD51 and she accepted a position at the Mesa County Welfare Department in child and family welfare; She worked there until she had children.

In 1977, Jackie was hired as the Area Director of the American Cancer Society for the Mesa County Unit. She started many programs and services for cancer patients and spearheaded many fundraising events. She enjoyed working with cancer patients and their families. She was recognized several times for her work. She worked there for 21 years and retired in 1999. During her time at ACS, her husband, Roger, unexpectedly passed away in 1987.

Before his passing, Roger and Jackie enjoyed hosting dinner parties with friends, playing Bridge, playing golf, traveling, summers in Vail, outdoor activities, raising their girls, attending Mesa State basketball games and were active in the First United Methodist Church.

After Jackie retired, she was hoping to travel more, but her dreams were cut short when she started experiencing breathing issues and was diagnosed with Bilateral Obliterating Organizing Pneumonia, or BOOP, an autoimmune lung disease in 2000.

For the past 20 years, Jackie spent winters in the Palm Springs area. She enjoyed being there and friends and family would visit.

Jackie was a member of the PEO, AAUW, First United Methodist Church (Stephen’s Minister), an amazing Bridge player in several Ladies bridge groups, was a voracious reader, worked out/walking at St Mary’s cardio/pulmonary rehab center, loved watching Kansas University and Mesa State Basketball teams, loved working in her yard and flowers, visiting family in Tacoma, and spent time watching her grandsons play soccer. Going out to eat, the movies, shopping, and spending time with friends and family was also important to her.

Jackie is preceded in death by her father, mother, and husband, Roger.

She is survived by her daughter Cori, and son-in-law, Tim Sturgeon. Grandsons Luke Sturgeon and Blake Sturgeon, of GJ. Kylie Shunk, of GJ, and granddaughters, Sophia and Natalie Shunk of Hot Springs, Ar. Her stepson, Brad Howard and daughter-in-law-Sandy Howard of Ottawa, Kansas and granddaughters, Kylene Howard and Allison Howard, of Shawnee, KS. Her sister, Jill Gnagey, of Bloomington, Illinois.

A special thank you to Dr. Bechtel and doctors at National Jewish Hospital for their care over the years.

Memorial services will be June 19 at 11:00 am at First Presbyterian Church.

Memorial contributions can be made to American Cancer Society or the charity of your choice.