Jacquelyn Marie Howard

Jacquelyn M. “Jackie” Howard, devoted naturalist, avian biologist, author, and woman of deep faith, passed away peacefully on February 23 at the age of 69 at her sister and brother-in-law’s home in Spofford, New Hampshire, surrounded by family.

Jackie grew up in upstate New York before moving to the shoreline of Connecticut, where her lifelong love of nature and birds first took flight. Curious about the natural world from an early age, she developed a deep appreciation for wildlife that would shape both her career and her life’s passions.

She earned a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from the University of Vermont and a Master’s Degree in Environmental Management and Quantitative Analysis from Duke University. Jackie trained in bird identification and bird-banding techniques through the Institute for Bird Populations in Point Reyes, California, and worked as an avian field biologist from Maine to Florida, focusing on threatened and endangered shorebirds.

From 1993 to 1999, Jackie served with the United States Department of Defense as a Natural Resources Projects Manager, overseeing bird conservation and research programs at military installations across the United States, as well as in Panama and Guam. She later continued her career in public service with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Jackie’s adventurous spirit led her to live throughout the country, including every New England state as well as Virginia, Delaware, Maryland, North Carolina, Florida, and Texas. Her passion for birds and nature took her around the world, birding and exploring throughout the United States, Europe, Canada, Asia, Central and South America, New Zealand, and throughout the Caribbean.

An avid birder, ferocious reader, enthusiastic skier, and passionate traveler, Jackie shared her love of birds and the natural world through her writing. She published two books, Tale Feathers: A Celebration of Birds, Birders and Bird Watching and Wounded Warriors: A Soldier’s Story of Healing through Birds and authored two additional works.

For fun Jackie also played the fife and participated in several different fife and drum corps from New England to Virginia. She loved music and history, and this allowed her to combine both. She was inspired by Army’s Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps, and it was such a treat when they performed at the of the same musters.

Jackie also had a deep love for dogs and animal rescue. Over the years she lovingly rescued more than seven dogs, including several with special needs. Her favorite breed was the Yorkshire Terrier, and the dogs she cared for were fortunate to find such a devoted and compassionate home.

A woman of steadfast faith, Jackie was a devoted Catholic and an active member of St. John Paul II Catholic Church in Denton, Texas. She was also a proud member of the Catholic Daughters.

Jackie will be remembered as a loving sister, aunt, and godmother, and as a truly caring friend to many. Her warmth, curiosity, faith, and reverence for the natural world touched countless lives.

She was predeceased by her parents, John Howard Sr., who passed away in 2008, and Jean Howard, who passed away in 2005.

She is survived by her brother John Howard and his wife Kimberly; her brother James Howard and his partner Roxanne; her sister Judith Howard and her husband Kevin; her nephew Heath and his wife Hannah and their children Samuel and David, to whom Jackie was a proud godmother; and her nephew Edwin and his wife Kelly and their son Henry.

A service celebrating Jackie’s life will be held on Saturday, May 16, 2026, at 11:00am at St. John Paul II Catholic Church, 909 McCormick Street, Denton, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to these charitable organizations: Catholic Daughters of the Americas (CDA) Court #2668, Saint John Paul II Catholic Church, 909 McCormick Street, Denton, TX 76201 Phone - (940) 566-0004 Website - Saint John Paul II University Parish | Denton, TX; or to No Kill Shelter: Rocky Road Refuge PO Box 721, Muenster, TX 76252, Phone - (972) 932-9013. Facebook - Rocky Road Refuge | Muenster TX | Facebook

Those who loved Jackie will forever think of her when they hear birdsong, look to the sky, or pause to appreciate the quiet beauty of the natural world she loved so dearly. May Jackie now rest in God’s eternal peace.