Jackie Camp

Jackie contracted polio when three years old. Her family raised and guided her to never be deterred by physical limitation. Her Catholic education was the founding principal of her lifelong faith and motivation. She taught religious education, chaired the Heritage Ball and Fiesta at Mission San Luis Rey in Oceanside, CA and served on the Pastoral Council, Diocese of San Diego.

Her activism in supporting the disabled community emerged in Deming, NM where she chaired the agency that instituted accessibility throughout the town. After moving to Oceanside, CA in the early 80’s, she served as Executive Director for the Agency on Disabilities; chaired the Disability Commission for the San Diego Board of Supervisors; and was a member on the Disabilities Committee for North County Transit District. Jackie enjoyed hand cycling and worked to promote adaptive sports in Oceanside.

October 9, 1999 was decreed “Jackie Camp Day” by the San Diego County Board of Supervisors. The same year, Jackie was recognized as a Woman of Merit by The North County Times. Her work in her community garnered the Oceanside Police Department’s Outstanding Citizen Award in 2001. Jackie went on to establish a North County office for Abled Disabled in 2002. She served on other numerous Oceanside community committees and boards including the Oceanside Substance Abuse Coalition and the Oceanside Family Recovery Center. The San Diego Housing Commission 2018 Ruby Award for Outstanding Advocate of the Year declares that Jackie was the longest serving member of the City of Oceanside Housing Commission “a faithful advocate for affordable housing and ADA compliance”.

Jackie was recognizable around town as the Butterfly Lady with a beautiful butterfly pin on her shoulder, and bright large butterflies spinning on the wheels of her wheelchair. She would say “butterflies are free and independent; they go wherever they want to”. With a wave and a smile, she would zoom by, often to catch the sunset. If you telephoned her at home, you might hear her voice on the answering machine “Peace be with you, now your message, please.”

Jackie is survived by her son, Randal Cleveland of Florida, her sister, Barbara Wade of NY, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and dear friends. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Frank Cleveland an industrial engineer, her second husband, Ron Camp an electrical engineer, her youngest son, Mark Cleveland, parents and eleven of her siblings.

A memorial mass will take place on October 29, 2019 at 1:30 p.m. in the Mission Chapel at San Luis Rey. Cremation has taken place. Internment is at Mission San Luis Rey, CA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Brother Benno’s in Oceanside, CA.