Jacqueline Christensen

On Saturday, August 10, 2024, Jacqueline Walsh Christensen went to her forever home with our Lord Jesus. Jacque and her husband, Marc, were blessed to share 20 wonderful years together. Jacque was loved, admired and respected for her many qualities of character, not the least of which was her eagerness to pursue whatever course her brilliant mind found interesting.

At age 18, she obtained a pilot's license. She became a flight attendant for Delta Airlines at age 20. Later in life, she ran several successful political campaigns, was the first woman in New Mexico to receive a general contractor's license and went on to build homes in Hobbs New Mexico. She established a successful 200 acre horse breeding and racing farm and won many stakes races with her favorite mare, Draconic's Lady.

She retired from the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce as the Senior Vice President of Government Relations, being named several times as one of New Mexico's "power brokers." She was vibrant, beautiful, funny, insightful, entrepreneurial and inspiring. Her deep intellect, unparalleled memory and ability to solve a problem created significant impacts on New Mexico politics and business. She would listen and work towards a solution regardless of party affiliation or philosophy. She received her master's degree in Public Administration and Finance from UNM and served both Republicans and Democrats as an expert resource when the Legislature considered and adopted legislation providing for Indian gaming, the subject of Jacque's masters thesis.

Jacque's heart was even larger than her intellect. She'd buy the last scrawny Christmas tree on the lot so it would have a home. She'd rescue the least attractive but most in need of love dog from a shelter. She made monthly contributions to St. Judes, our Catholic diocese' fund for those in need and assorted other charities.

Jacque and Marc shared many areas of interest especially history, reading, family genealogy and travel. Together they enjoyed 30 cruises and several weeks long driving tours in Ireland, Scotland and France, joined by their daughter Suzanne DuBose and granddaughter Alexis on several of those trips. Jacque promised her father that she'd trace the family back to Ireland, which she did, reuniting with cousins both in Ireland and Washington, D.C. Jacque had a special interest in Native American history and culture, having lived on or near both the Rosebud Sioux and Navajo reservations.

Jacque is the mother of John, Suzanne and Meredith, grandmother of Alexis, Aiden and Isabella and great grandmother of Raena. She is survived by her brother Mike Walsh and sisters Ann Shannon and Cita Walsh. Her father, Colonel Edward Joseph Walsh, Jr. (USAF) and her mother, Sylvia Louise Walsh, welcomed Jacque home.

Services will be held at the Westside French funeral home on September 6, 2024. The address is 9300 Golf Course Rd, NW, Albuquerque, New Mexico. At 9:30 am, guests are invited to join the family in praying the Rosary if they wish. The service will begin at 10:00 am, followed by a reception at 11:00 am at which guests are invited to share remembrances of Jacque. Deacon George Meyerson of the Church of the Incarnation will officiate.

Jacque loved children and the work of St. Jude Children's Hospital. She would very much appreciate a donation to them: St Jude's Children's Hospital