Mary Jacqueline McDonald Gaithe, “Jackie” passed from Covid-19 on September 4, 2021. She is survived by her husband, Leon Gaithe of Colorado Springs, Colorado; her daughter, Kelsey and wife, Harbandna Gaithe-Singh of Evergreen, Colorado; her son, Pierce and wife, Alissa Gaithe and granddaughter, Marin of Fayetteville, Arkansas; her sisters, Sherri Godfrey, Carolyn Emmons and Peggy Kinnin; her nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles, friends and her beloved hounds: Memphis, Sookie, Nash, Gidget, and Francis. She is preceded in death by her parents, Dortha and Earl McDonald and her brother, David McDonald, along with many spoiled, loved, and missed dogs and cats. Hers was a life well lived. Taken too soon from this world and forever missed by her family and friends, a space has been created that will never be filled.
Jackie was a lifelong learner, constantly pursuing and furthering her education whether it was academic or for fun. After years as an elementary school teacher, she decided to fulfill her dream of attending law school. Jackie became an attorney and loved it. She made lifelong friends at the University of Arkansas School of Law, enjoyed being active in the legal communities in Arkansas and Colorado, and was always ready to help friends and family in need at the drop of a hat. Her voicemail may have been full, but she would call you back. While running the legal clinic at the University of Arkansas School of Law, her dream job that combined both the professions she loved, she discovered lure coursing with her beautiful greyhounds and drove all over the United States to compete. Taking her dogs to run, something she often described as poetry in motion, Jackie made wonderful friends and explored along the way.
She discovered a flair for adventure and appreciated hiking the mountains and beaches of the Hawaiian Islands with Leon, rode the train through Europe to see ancient cities in Germany, shopped at the Louis Vuitton on the Champs-Élysées with Kelsey, and saw the world; something the little girl from a small town in Oklahoma could have only dreamed about. She loved children and was a lifelong Christian, teaching Sunday School classes, leading AWANA groups, and more recently volunteering with LifeKids where she attended church at Life.Church. Jackie was determined, a habitual overachiever, loved a good pair of shoes, a fresh Dr. Pepper, drawn to anything Razorback red, and had a heart full of love for giving. There are no words to express the sadness of losing Jackie and knowing that we must go on without her, something so daunting that it hardly seems possible. The light in the world will be dimmed without her smile, the sparkle in her green eyes, and her dimples.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Colorado Greyhound Adoption to help hounds in need find their forever home.
Funeral service will be 10 a.m., Saturday, September 18 at McConnell Funeral Home Chapel in Greenwood. Visitation will be Friday from 5 - 7 p.m. at the funeral home with the family present. Jackie will be placed to rest in Gilliam Cemetery in Witcherville, Arkansas alongside her dear Mother and Daddy.
Zoomlink for the service
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86273323935?pwd=Z0dnTkVCWVRpRG1NVklFd1hkaWw0Zz09
password 1234
To sign an online guestbook, please visit www.mcconnellfh.com.
