Jacquelyn "Jackie" Downing

Jackie lived in Evansville during her childhood. She was a member of the F.J. Reitz High School Class of 1948, although she graduated from high school in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Jackie graduated from Deaconess School of Nursing as a Registered Nurse in 1951.

She married William Downing in December 7, 1951, at Howell Baptist Church. Bill and Jackie have four children.

Jackie worked several years as a nurse. She made it possible for her children to participate in a variety of school, music, scouting, and sports activities, and attended many games, concerts, meets and recitals. Jackie also enjoyed all types of needlework and sewing crafts, and created clothing and decorative items for her family and household. For the past ten years she focused on quilting.

For about 25 years, Jackie's key interest was showing dogs. She finished numerous cocker spaniels as champions. Some were dogs she owned and some were from the bloodlines she breed. She and Bill enjoyed their travels around the midwest to attend dog shows.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Fletcher and Helen Jaquess; sister, Geraldine Deig; and brother, John Jaquess.

Jackie is survived by her husband of 59 years, William Downing; children, Janice Knight (Jerry), John Downing (Rachel), Jennifer Barr (Mike), and Jeffrey Downing (Jennie); 15 grandchildren; and 6 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be 2:00 PM Saturday, September 3, 2011 at St. Paul's United Church of Christ, 2227 W. Michigan St, followed by a celebration of Jackie's life at 4:00 PM.

The family requests contributions made to American Cancer Society, St. Paul’s UCC, or other charity in lieu of flowers.

Alexander West Chapel is handling the arrangements and cremation.