Jacqueline Ruth Schwalbe

July 18, 1935 - February 23, 2023

Jacqueline left this world unexpectedly on February 23rd 2023 at Jackson Meadow Retirement Residence in Jackson, TN.

Born Jackie Ruth White on July 18th 1935 in Brooksville, MS to William (Jack) and Florence (Prisock) White. She and her older sister Jeannie grew up with their grandparents Albert and Susie Prisock in Louisville, MS. Upon graduation from Louisville High School they moved to New Hyde Park, Long Island, New York to reunite with their mother Florence and stepfather Daniel Citera. She attended Adelphi College in Garden City, NY and Delehanty Secretarial School in Jamaica, NY. She enjoyed an active social life in New York City where met Frederick (Fritz) Schwalbe and after a brief engagement they were married on November 25, 1961. Shortly after marrying, Fritz’s career took them to Ann Arbor, MI where she took an administrative job at the University of Michigan.

In 1964 Fritz’s career took them to Southern California, where they lived in San Pedro and Hollywood. They welcomed their only child, Ursula, and moved to West Covina, followed by Glendale where Jacqueline became very active in the PTA, even serving as president. Another move took them to Santa Barbara in January of 1979. It was there that they purchased American Nameplate and Jacqueline thoroughly enjoyed running the business until a move to Orange County in 1984. It was here that Jacqueline really hit her professional stride and developed a fondness for non-profits earning fundraising/management credentials from Cal State Long Beach and the University of California Irvine. She worked for a variety of non-profits, most notably Make-A-Wish Foundation as Director of Development. In semi-retirement she worked for Chico’s as an assistant store manager.

Later in life she was caretaker to her parents and husband in Mission Viejo and then joined her daughter in Georgia and Tennessee.

Shy as a child she developed into an amazing woman… principled, independent, loyal, encouraging, resilient. She always had a sympathetic ear and sage advice to offer when asked, a keen sense of humor and an easy laugh… She was the family historian, organizing family holidays and parties making sure to capture the event with photos. For many years she was the glue that held the extended family together. Ever tolerant of her husband’s career moves, she adapted each time and built a new life for her and her family in each new location.

Jacqueline was preceded in death by her husband of 45 years Frederick E. Schwalbe, her mother Florence Citera, and stepfather Daniel Citera.

Jacqueline is survived by her daughter Ursula Schwalbe Thompson (Juston) of Darden, TN, and sister Jeanne Wells of Carlsbad, CA.

Jacqueline was cremated and her ashes are with her daughter. Celebrations of her life will take place with extended family and friends in various locations around the country. Interment will take place at an appropriate time in the future.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Jacqueline's name to Make-A-Wish Foundation of Orange County & the Inland Empire www.ocie.wish.org or to St.Jude Children's Research Hospital www.stjude.org.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.GeorgeASmithandSons.com for the Schwalbe family.