Jacqueline Kay Kilpatrick

Jacqueline Kay Kilpatrick, better known as Jackie or JK, passed peacefully in her sleep on Wednesday, 08/26/26. We will miss her powerful & beautiful smile, which radiated through her eyes and instantly made you feel at ease and loved- even at first meeting her.

Jackie was a woman of faith, family, friends and service to others. God blessed her with many talents, and she did her best to utilize those talents to help others in gratitude for God's grace. A loving example of how to live a life of meaning and purpose. She certainly lived a storied & amazing life!

Born Deaf, in Moorhead, MN on 08/07/1950, to Edward and Kathleen (Bjorge) Seaburg. Her cherished brother, Charles Seaburg, was born 1 year and 3 days later, in 1951. At age 13, the family moved to Seattle, WA to continue Jackie’s education at the WA School for the Deaf, where she would commute by bus and train to/ from school daily. Eager to continue her education after graduation, Jackie attended Gallaudet University (the only Deaf University in the world at the time), earning her Bachelor’s Degree and where she met the love of her life, Brian Kilpatrick. She was his, and he was hers. Funny- Jackie, at first, refused to date Brian until he learned American Sign Language. Well, what do you do when you want to date the most beautiful woman on campus? You learn! And boy did he! They were (and are) quite the pair- with Jackie correcting Brian’s signs and Brian correcting Jackie’s speech. Ha!

In her time at Gallaudet, she was heavily involved in poetic dance (dance in Sign Language)- with the Gallaudet Dance Company, which she toured with, within the USA. Her involvement also provided the opportunity to tour with the dance troupe in Europe where she performed in front of dignitaries of multiple Countries.

Upon her graduation from Gallaudet, she joined Brian and moved to Cleveland, OH where she pursued her Masters Degree in Deaf Education. It was during this time that both Jackie and Brian were crucial in the establishment and co-founders of the Fairmount Theatre of the Deaf (now known as Cleveland Signstage Theatre) in 1974.

Brian and Jackie married 08/29/1975, building a life of love, lasting over 50 YEARS. Headlining in multiple productions- with & without Brian; ironically, the couple played expectant parents in “the Fourposter” and “The Second Shepherds’” plays while she was pregnant with their daughter, Jessica. Jackie rightfully earned many accolades and awards during her time here. Most notably, Emmy Awards for the plays, “With These Hands” in 1975 and “Beauty and the Beast” in 1980- where Jackie obviously played “Beauty”.

Their daughter, “sweet” Jessica (Kilpatrick) Walker, was born in March 1981. In 1982, the family moved to Brian’s hometown of Houston, where they would raise their little family, in pursuit of greater opportunities of providing education to the Deaf.

Jackie began her career at TH Rogers in Houston & found her place- where she remained throughout her 30 years of education, until her retirement in 2012. During her time at TH Rogers, she held various educator roles, primarily in Deaf Education and Drama. She poured into her students, loving them, encouraging them in their education, pushing for them to not accept their Deafness as a disability but a rather unique ability! During this time, while she was the Drama teacher (for ALL students, hearing and Deaf alike), she shared her love of Theatre and Dance.

All the while, she wore many hats. A lover of crafting & art in all forms. An actress on the theatre stage in partnership with Illuminations Theatre With the Deaf (now defunct). Shadow stage acting & directing with University of Houston’s Summer Children’s Theatre, and multiple other festivals (including Texas Renaissance Festival) and organizations. But that wasn’t enough for Jackie- she needed to reach & continue advocating for the Deaf community at large. She was also an American Sign Language (ASL) professor, teaching students wanting to enter an Interpreting Training Program. All the while, remaining and being the best wife, mother, sister, daughter & friend you could ask for.

In retirement, she enjoyed traveling with Brian all over the world and soaking up the experiences and cultures surrounding her. Her love of culture, arts and travel shone through. She absolutely marveled at the sights.

It was in her retirement that she was able to dote on and dedicate time to her beloved grandson, Noah Walker. Gosh, he was just her absolute pride and joy! Bragging on him any time she could! Retirement wouldn’t stop her from teaching, as she continued teaching & sharing with Noah.

Unfortunately, in 2020, Parkinson's/Lewy Body Disease would rob Jackie of her vibrant smile, mobility and memory. It is such a cruel disease! Continuing her stubbornness- she carried on, worked hard & far exceeded the initial expectation of 3 years- proving everyone wrong and beat the odds by thriving 6 years! This true grit & strength continued until her earthly body gained her heavenly wings. There was no doubt a celebration taking place as she was greeted by her loved ones gone before her with dancing & a fantastic party! We surely felt the earth jumping that night from the reunion in Heaven!

The family would like to extend its heartfelt love & thanks to Jackie’s caregivers, Marilyn Pena and Amy Hirst. You loved Jackie as if she were your own mom- becoming part of the family. And for that, no words could accurately express our gratitude to you both! We would also like to thank the entire staff at The Heritage on Eldridge, and Emerald Hospice during her stay there. All your efforts, the care, the sympathy and empathy shown by everyone encountered, have helped to ease our pain and truly showed the best in mankind. To lose

someone so beloved, and one of a kind is heartbreaking- but you all helped to ease the pain. Thank you.

Jackie is preceded in death by her beloved parents, Kathleen Seaburg and Edward Seaburg, as well as her stepmom, Helen (Fairbrook) Seaburg along with stepsister, Marcy Fairbrook.

She is survived by her soulmate and person, Brian; daughter, Jessica (Kilpatrick) Walker and grandson, Noah Walker. Brother Charles (Rose) Seaburg, Stepsisters & brothers- Merritt (Mary) Fairbrook, Mark Fairbrook, Jan (Dan) Fairbrook-Rodriguez. Along with numerous cousins, in-laws and many nieces and nephews- all of whom she loved immensely and had such cherished time together.

Jackie will be sorely missed. She inspired everyone around her with a kind soul and a “never give up” spirit that guided her life. Grief is inevitable, but comfort lies in knowing she will live in the memories of all who loved her. Those fortunate enough to have crossed her path are better off for knowing Jackie.

A Celebration of Life will be announced in the near future. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you please consider donating to Houston Area Parkinson Society (HAPS) https://haps.org/support/ or the Michael J. Fox Parkinson's Foundation https://www.michaeljfox.org/give-tribute, in Jackie’s memory/ honor.