Jacqueline Anne Skeete (nee Pratt), better known as Jackie, passed away peacefully at her home in Tampa, Florida on Sunday April 25th, 2021, surrounded by her family. Jackie was the beloved wife of Murray Skeete; mother of Christopher and Harriet; grandmother of Lilly, William, Charlie, Madeline, and Thomas; and sister of Anthony and Joanne. She had courageously battled cancer for four years, staying characteristically strong and cheerful right to the end, even in the face of this tremendous adversity.
Jackie was born in Lincoln, England to parents Derek and Betty Pratt. She grew up with her brother Anthony and sister Joanne in the Lincolnshire seaside town of Sutton-on-Sea. Jackie was married to her first husband, Ian Rollitt, in June 1979 and together they had two children, Chris and Harriet. Not long after Harriet’s birth, Jackie and Ian moved to Barbados. They divorced a few years later.
Jackie loved Barbados and enjoyed taking her children for swims in the sea, followed occasionally by a beer or two at the local beach bar. On one such occasion she happened to meet Murray, also known to enjoy a beer or two, and the two fell in love immediately. Jackie and Murray were married in Barbados on October 29th, 1994.
For the next 10 years, Jackie’s boundless energy, enthusiasm for life and generosity helped create a secure and loving home for Chris, Harriet, and Murray as they lived, loved, and grew together. Jackie was incredibly intelligent, and her intellect and hard work enabled her to establish her own successful small business doing something that she loved which was baking, in addition to working as an accountant for several restaurants in Barbados. When not working, Jackie’s love for children led her to become a Cub Scout leader. An activity which she would pursue for many years. The friendships made during her time in Barbados are priceless and are proving to be a huge source of comfort to her family.
In 2004, as Chris and Harriet were at school abroad, Jackie and Murray moved to Tampa, Florida where they bought a house together. Jackie again devoted all her energy into making it the wonderful, warm and welcoming home that it became. Never one to be content with just being a home maker, Jackie also took the position of Accounts Manager for a wine and spirits distributor to the Caribbean. Through her work there, her infectious enthusiasm and outgoing personality resulted in many more close friendships that will be forever cherished by her family.
Jackie was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2017. Rather than give up, she faced the inevitable with great courage and was determined to make the most of the time she had left. Throughout all her surgeries and treatments, she managed to maintain her unique sense of humor and her generous spirit. She poured all her love into her grandchildren, who she adored, and spoiled them at every opportunity she could.
Jackie will be remembered most for her laughter, her warmth, her love for everyone, and her indomitable spirit. While she is greatly missed by all, her memory will live on forever with her family and friends and she will never really be gone if we hold her in our hearts.
A private funeral service will be held on Saturday, May 1st, 2021 at the Blount & Curry Funeral Home, Oldsmar/West Hillsborough Chapel, 6802 Silvermill Dr., Tampa, FL 33635.
Jackie's wish was for a simple funeral to be followed in the future by a joyous celebration of life, to be held when all her friends and relatives living abroad can travel again. Jackie’s generous nature and spirit meant she cared deeply for others and especially those less fortunate than her. She was especially concerned about kids in the foster care system and her desire was to try to help in any way she could. It upset her to learn that many foster kids, either when they move homes or leave the system, have nothing to keep their cherished belongings in. The charity Together We Rise provides, among many other things, a program called Teen Duffles. This program gives duffle bags to foster kids for their stuff, providing some dignity and security in their lives. Therefore, in keeping with Jackie’s wish, we ask that well-wishers donate to the campaign https://www.togetherwerise.org/fundraise/jackieskeete in lieu of flowers.
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