Jackie Jackie Richardson

Jackie, an only child, was born on February 19, 1917 in Dallas, Texas to Benjamin B. Johnston and Georgia Miller Johnston. The love she received from her parents shaped the love and grace Jackie would bestow upon her own family and friends throughout her life. She attended Highland Park High School in Dallas, and graduated in 1938 with BA in English from Ursuline College, affiliated with Loyola University in New Orleans, Louisiana. From her father, she loved to sing, loved the theater and movies, and studied “Expression” for most of her pre-college years. One such accomplishment with the benefits of speech training, she presented an evening of “Midsummer Night’s Dream,” taking all of the parts herself from memory. She kept her enthusiasm for theater and music throughout her life.

In April 1942 she married William Joseph “Joe” Richardson. With two young sons, they relocated to Caracas, Venezuela in 1948 when Joe accepted a transfer position with Atlantic Richfield Oil Company. They loved their 15 years of life, the birth of a daughter, friends and different culture while in Caracas. In November 1963 they moved back to Dallas, and eventually settled in Wichita Falls, Texas. Jackie supported Joe in his new adventure as part-owner and manager of Funland Amusement Park. She was actively involved in Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church, sang in numerous choirs, an avid reader and bridge player, and lover of animals, especially cats. When her children were grown, Jackie was asked to serve as the school secretary for Notre Dame High School in Wichita Falls, where she enjoyed this new career, her co-workers and students for 13 years. During her retirement, she mentored a young student at McGaha Elementary. In 2005, after living 41 years in Wichita Falls, Jackie moved to Austin and resided at The Heritage at Gaines Ranch.

Her sweet and gentle nature will be missed by many, as well as her enthusiasm for new adventures. Jackie Richardson was always kind to people, showing genuine interest in everyone she met. Throughout her life, she made lasting friends and corresponded with them regularly.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Joe in December 1995, and her granddaughter, Renee Lisa Richardson, in April 1990.

Jackie is survived by her three children and spouses, Bill and Margarita Richardson of Newberg , Oregon, Ben and Pat Richardson of Atlanta, Georgia, and Ruth (Richardson) and Phil Brown of Austin, Texas; as well as her brother-in-law, Rev. John Richardson of Chicago; step-grandson Matthew Brown and family in Germany; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, January 25, 2014 at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 5455 Bee Cave Road in Austin, Texas. A private burial will be planned at a later date at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Wichita Falls, Texas.

Jackie and her family are appreciative of the love and care provided to her by the staff of The Heritage at Gaines Ranch, by A*Med Hospice, and her physicians.

Memorial donations may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Central Texas Chapter, 3316 Bee Caves Road, Austin, Texas 78746, (512) 338-1748 or a hospice of choice.