Jacqueline White

Jacqueline White, she loved birthdays and holidays, and made each one a festive occasion with decorations, food and most of all the people she loved. If only she could take those decorations with her to heaven it would be an even more wonderful place. Pictures of her children and grandchildren are everywhere. To appreciate her personality, see the whimsical ducks around the house and the variety of clown figures. However her favorite was the Japanese welcoming cat near the front door. Jacquie's fantasy was to play the drums some day and her favorite personality was Lucille Ball, that was her. Remember her with a smile. Jacqueline was born June 7, 1946 in Chicago, Illinois, to William and Helen Delimata Stadnik. After a wonderful and sharing life with her husband, she went to the Lord on May 4, 2015. She is survived by her husband, Jim; children, Jennifer White who lives in Albuquerque, Julie Goldblatt who lives in Rochester, NY, and Christopher White who lives in Boston, MA. She has four grandchildren, Mitchell, Jessi, Dallan and Justine. Her brother, William Stadnik lives in Louisville, KY. Extended relatives include son-in-law, John Goldblatt; daughter-in-law, Amy Grier; sisters-in-law, Janice Stadnik, Joyce Bousquet, and Karen Brienzo; and niece, Brittany Stadnik. Her father died when she was just seven years old. While her mother worked, she took care of the household including her younger brother. She was active in high school but also worked part time to help with family finances. She and her husband were introduced by mutual friends more than 50 years ago. A blind date initiated their life-long love affair. They dated for two years before getting married in Chicago in 1965. And then the fun began. They married on the date he graduated from college and was simultaneously commissioned into the Air Force. Over the next seven years they moved nine times and Jacquie bore three children. At one point, pregnant and with two children in tow, Jim was absent for almost a year while she maintained the household. They spent over 26 years in the Air Force and during that time she made a pleasant home in 14 different locations, both stateside and overseas. She began a professional career after kids were grown. She became a licensed health insurance broker and eventually operated her own insurance agency for 15 years. Foremost, a wife and mother, she was wonderful, loving, dedicated, tireless, unselfish, and accepting. She loved to sew, make dresses, coats, and accessories for herself and the girls when they were young. Military travel offered many opportunities to visit foreign countries and travel became a frequent part of their lives after retirement. She enjoyed outdoor activities, became a good tennis player, knowledgeable golfer, and steady hiker. She hiked the Serengeti in Tanzania, made a four-day hike through the Grand Canyon, climbed the highest peak in New Mexico, and even peaked Mauna Kea in Hawaii. Bird watching was also a pleasant pastime. In addition to unfailing support of her children and her husband's career, she volunteered time with several civic organizations. She was a Red Cross volunteer at the military hospital in the Philippines, church Liturgy committee chair in New Mexico, a Sunday school instructor in California, board member and president of the Rio Grande Association of Health Insurance Underwriters, a crisis line operator in Florida, and board member and President of Goodwill Industries of New Mexico. People easily warmed up to her and formed lasting relationships. No matter where she traveled or whom she met, her smile and unassuming nature led folks to quickly enjoy her company and friendship. She will be missed by many. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated in her honor on Monday, May 11, 2015, 8:30 a.m. at Our Lady of the Annunciation Church, 2532 Vermont NE, Albuquerque. Memorial contributions may be made to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund, 14 Penn Plaza, Suite 1710, New York, NY, 10122, (212) 268-1002 or info@ocrf.org.