Jacqueline "Jackie" Suzanne Dean

Our dear Jackie departed this earth on Thanksgiving, November 25, 2021. She was 52 years old, born on August 11, 1969. Jackie was a nurse anesthetist and lived in San Diego, Ca for the past two decades. She passed away at home from natural causes. Her loving pets were her immediate family.

Jackie was born in Spokane, Washington. During her early years her family moved from Washington to Minnesota, Arkansas, and California but eventually settled in Lakewood, Colorado where she spent much of her youth and developed many life-long friendships. She graduated from Alameda High School where she was a cheerleader. Shortly after her graduation she moved to southern California, following her parents who had recently moved.

Jackie was very proud of her Native American heritage from her mother’s side.

Jackie received her B.S. in Nursing from San Diego State in 1995. In 2000 she completed training through the Kaiser Permanente School of Anesthesia and received a Master of Science in Nursing from Cal State Long Beach. She worked as a nurse anesthetist for Kaiser in both Los Angeles and San Diego as well as various clinics before opening her own practice in 2009. A highlight of Jackie’s career was volunteering for Operation Interface and Fresh Start, providing anesthesia for pediatric facial surgeries in various cities in Mexico and California.

Jackie had many passions in life and was known for her ability to make a friend of everyone she met. Her sense of humor was unparalleled, and it was not unusual for a serious encounter to end in an uproar of laughter. Jackie was also known for her compassion, offering to help in any way she could, sometimes causing her own challenges. She loved her animals and adopted several animals who were not able to find suitable homes. Her first cat, Baxter, and her first dog, Riley, were especially loved and at her passing she cared for two dogs and three cats. Jackie was also fascinated with astrology, tarot readings as well as Asian culture and mindfulness. She was constantly on a search for learning. And she loved crystals, candles, essential oils and perfumes.

Jackie is survived by her mother, Susan Teasley, her brother, Jeff, her father and stepmother, Des and Mary Dean and her nephew, Aidan Dean. The family wishes to thank the many friends who have assisted and offered support.

A celebration of life is planned for January with details to follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the San Diego Humane Society, sdhumane.org.

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