Jessie B. Powell Schoeck

When someone is identified as a natural leader, certain images come to mind. First thoughts are of a no-nonsense, tough-minded, dedicated and disciplined person. This description accurately fits Jessie B. Schoeck who was indeed a born manager. She will be remembered as being highly organized, practical and realistic. She was a person who always carried a strong sense of duty with her, mixed with a lot of fun, throughout her life. Possessed with traditional “old school” morals, Jessie was an individual who clearly communicated to those around her just who she was and what she was all about. Everyone acquainted with Jessie knew her as a well-respected woman who was a stable force in her community.

Jessie was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Her parents were Cyrus and Edna Powell and they raised her in Scranton, Pennsylvania and Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Even as a youngster, Jessie learned to be objective and decisive. Her faith in the principles of authority and dependability was something that she carried with her throughout her life.

Jessie's matter-of-fact attitude about most things was developed during her childhood. As a young girl, Jessie enjoyed being part of teams, and organizations and groups of other kids who shared similar interests. She was a Girl Scout. In her spare time she liked to dance.

In school, Jessie was a great student, but also loved to socialize with her friends. A logical and focused thinker, Jessie was always good at following directions and meeting her schedules, whether they were set by her teachers or were self-imposed. Jessie’s personal motto could well have been, “Do it right the first time.” She graduated from Elmer L. Meyers High School in 1945 and from Wyoming Seminary College Prep in 1946. She enjoyed some courses more than others, having favorite classes and teachers. Her favorite classes in high school were French and Chemistry. She served in the Girls Reserves junior and senior year, and will be remembered by classmates in her Chemistry class.

Jessie’s practical work ethic carried over into her college years. Her logical mind permitted her to work hard without succumbing to the usual distractions of college life. She would tackle an assignment and work through it before moving onto the next project. She earned her degree in Nursing from Nesbitt Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in 1949.

Jessie was sociable and approachable- she really enjoyed boys and the dating scene. Her friends and family knew that what they saw was always what they got. She enjoyed the camaraderie of being with a group of friends. She wasn’t afraid to confront her friends and, when necessary, she challenged them to stick to the task at hand. Those close to Jessie came to expect her high standards of performance. While growing up, some of her best friends were Connie Gregory, Johanna Swickel-McCole, Alice Dooley, and Guthrie Conyngham. Later in life, she became friends with Gerry Frey, Mary Smith, Glenn Gibbs, Ethel Salovitch, Ruth Stobin, and her best friend-Yvonne Mullin.

An objective and conscientious individual, Jessie reveled in the security of her family. On July 1, 1950 Jessie exchanged wedding vows with Raymond Grant Hoover at the Douglass Presbyterian Church of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. One of Jessie’s most endearing qualities was her uncanny ability to remember important dates and anniversaries, and her unending enthusiasm for organizing a celebration for her family and friends.

Jessie was ever watchful of her children. She worried about them and was deeply concerned for their development as they grew up. She maintained a firm hand in their upbringing. Jessie would give her stamp of approval to their requests, as long as she could see how they might benefit. She also had the ability to enforce the rules as needed to ensure that her children were properly raised. Jessie was blessed with three children: one daughter, Denise and two sons, Scott and Jim. She was also blessed with three grandsons: Cameron, Eric, and Christopher. After the birth of her children, Jessie and her family relocated to Succasunna, New Jersey and eventually Las Vegas, Nevada.

Jessie was always striving to make improvements where they were necessary. She was able to analyze situations and problems, keeping everything and everyone on track. She worked cooperatively and expected the same from her colleagues. In both her personal and professional environments, Jessie upheld her standards. Her primary occupation was as a Registered Nurse. She was employed for Nesbitt Memorial Hospital in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania; Dover General Hospital in Dover, New Jersey; and worked as a Public Health Nurse in Succasunna, New Jersey. After moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1967, she worked at Sunrise Hospital and lobbied for the hospital in Carson City, Nevada. During her nursing career in Las Vegas, she also worked for Nathaniel Nacheff, M.D. and Charles Snavely, M.D. Jessie was a team player who certainly lived out the motto of “give me a job, and I will get it done.”

Jessie enjoyed her leisure time. Her favorite hobbies were knitting, going to Bingo, and having pool parties in the backyard.

Playing by the rules was a natural thing for Jessie to do in life and that carried over to her enjoyment of sports. Recreational sports included golf. She also was something of a sports fan and enjoyed watching her favorite events whenever she got the opportunity. Tops on her list were football and golf.

Being generous with her time and energy, Jessie liked to belong to a variety of groups and organizations. She was a vocal leader who enjoyed being a part of things. Her desire to uphold traditions and her ability to take charge of any type of project made her a tremendous asset. In high school, Jessie was a member of the Girls Reserves.

Politically, Jessie was a supporter of the Republican Party. She held high moral standards and was worried about the moral decay she saw around her.

Faith was important to Jessie. For that reason she held deep spiritual beliefs that she was willing to share. She was a member of the Douglass Presbyterian Church in Wilkes- Barre, Pennysylvania; The Little White Church on the Hill in Trucksville, Pennsylvania; The Succasunna Methodist Church in Succasunna, New Jersey; and Green Valley United Methodist Church.

When it came time to travel or take a vacation, Jessie used her scheduling expertise to make sure everyone and everything was ready to go. That also meant that she made certain no single person was overworked in putting the trip together. Jessie had a knack for making sure that everyone who was involved had their specific tasks and that those tasks were completed. Favorite vacations included a family trip to Florida in the Rambler, weekends spent at the beaches in California, and her trips to Hawaii.

Jessie was a lover of animals and cherished her pets. Jessie loved all of her dogs: Dixie, Bebe, and Buffy. Her family was rounded out by her tropical fish.

When Jessie’s retirement finally arrived in 1998, she was well prepared. She used her critical evaluation skills to make sure that every detail had been planned out. Her new life involved staying in the city she loved- Las Vegas, Nevada . In retirement, she found pleasure in going to Bingo with friends, going to the beach, taking care of her grandsons, spending time with her sons and daughter-in-law, Sandy, and spending Fridays with her daughter, Denise. In many ways, Jessie loved retirement. It provided her with the opportunity to catch up with her friends and family.

Jessie passed away on August 15, 2010 at Sunrise Hospital in Las Vegas, Nevada from COPD. She is survived by her children: Denise (Stan), Scott (Lori), Jim (Sandy) and her three grandsons. Services were held August 21, 2010 at Palm Mortuary- Eastern Chapel in Las Vegas, Nevada. Jessie was laid to rest at Palm Mortuary Cemetery in the Garden of Inspiration.

All who knew her would agree that Jessie was a strong-willed individual, great friend, and a loving mother. To her children she was their first teacher, childhood protector, and gave unconditional love like no other. She lived her life with her feet firmly on the ground. She was willing to share her ideas and knowledge for the benefit of others, so that they could accomplish more in their lives. Jessie B. Schoeck did her best to ensure that her family, friends, loved ones, co-workers, and everyone whose life she touched was given the chance to become a better person.

Arrangements under the direction of Palm Green Valley Funeral Home, Las Vegas, NV.