Jacqueline D. Gamel

Jacqueline D. Gamel, 90, passed away on May 3rd, 2018 at Hospice/St. Vincent’s Hospital Southside. She was born in Dayton, Kentucky, and moved to Jacksonville in 1949. She was married to Frank for 39 years until his death in 1988. Due to the loss of their 7-year-old daughter, Mary Ann, who had Down Syndrome, Frank and Jackie became instrumental in the building and development of Pine Castle, a school for individuals with special needs. Jackie was a homemaker and then worked as a volunteer at Assumption Catholic School library before accepting a position as the cafeteria manager, where she was lovingly known as the “milk and juice lady”.

Jackie was a fixture at Assumption Catholic Church for nearly 70 years; the church was her life. In her younger years, Jackie was much appreciated for supplying the nuns and priests with her delicious red velvet cake every Christmas. She was an active member of the ladies’ guild for years where she made many lifelong friends. Attending parish events was very important to her. She rarely missed an opportunity to support her church family. Jackie loved traveling, most notably her trip to Ireland and a pilgrimage to Italy. Family vacations were centered around trips to her hometown of Kentucky to visit numerous beloved relatives. Kentucky always held a special place in her heart. In later years, she and Frank enjoyed many trips to Madeira Beach with close friends.

Jackie was well-loved and never met a stranger. Helping people was very important to her, whether it was driving patients to cancer treatments, serving meals to the homeless, or volunteering on voting day. After the birth of her first grandchild, she became affectionately known as Granny to everyone she met.

Most importantly, Jackie loved her family and was dedicated to them. She was a great example of how to lead a Christ-centered life. Family gatherings were important to her, especially Easter and Christmas. She never missed an opportunity to see her grandchildren and great grandchildren receive an award, participate in extracurricular activities or compete in sporting events.

Jackie leaves behind her children, Carolyn Pugh (Bill), Frank Gamel (Ceri), Ellen Watterson (Scott), Mike Gamel (Lisa), Ginny Nehring (Dan), and Brian Gamel (Nicole); 15 grandchildren: GaryMichael Pugh (Kelli), Adam Pugh, Alexis Newman, Kelli Rennert, Mat Gamel, Daniel Nehring (Katy), Laura Gamel, Bradley Nehring, Ben Gamel, Abby Nehring, Madeline Gamel, Wyatt Gamel, Samuel Gamel, Ruby Gamel, Lila Gamel; 9 great grandchildren: Riley Everett, Jackson Everett, Audrey Gamel, Colt Newman, Sophie Pugh, Tatum Gamel, Brooklyn Newman, Caleb Pugh, and Beau Newman. She was extremely proud of all of them and never missed an opportunity to share their accomplishments with anyone she encountered. In addition, Jackie is survived by 2 sisters, Mary Lou Bartlett and Ruth Ann Robbins (Larry); a brother-in-law, Eddie Gamel (Bobbie), and numerous nieces and nephews. She leaves quite a legacy and will be greatly missed by all.

Services for Jackie will be held at Assumption Catholic Church. Visitation will begin at 6 pm with a rosary at 7, Wednesday, May 9. A funeral mass will begin at 10:00 am, Thursday, May 10. Interment is at Greenlawn Cemetery followed by a reception at Kohls Hall.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Pine Castle, www.pinecastle.org (4911 Spring Park Rd. 32207) or Assumption Catholic Church, www.assumptioncatholicchurch.org (2403 Atlantic Blvd. 32207).