Jacqueline F. Downer Obituary
Honoring Jackie's wishes, cremation has taken place. Memorial services will be held at Joldersma & Klein, 917 S. Burdick St., Kalamazoo, Mi. on Thursday, September 19, 2024, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to Sue's Loving Care or the charity of one's choice, c/o the funeral home.
Age 97, of Portage, passed away on August 13, 2024, at Sue's Loving Care surrounded by loved ones. Jackie was born in Birmingham, Alabama on January 29th, 1927, to Raymond C. and Thelma Gilbert (nee Perrine). The family moved north to Michigan in 1937. Jackie worked in some capacity in the medical field all her life, including a private osteopathic hospital in Carson City, Mi, the Kalamazoo Psychiatric Hospital, and then retiring in 1989 after 33 years in the office of ENT specialists Drs. Locklin, Gardner, Roesler and Milko. Becoming restless in retirement she worked a series of part-time jobs including ten years at the Maple St. YMCA Tennis house learning to play tennis at the age of 65. In 2002 she began working part-time as a cashier at Lowe's of Portage and continued until her present illness. She loved her co-workers and considered them, her "other family" and they looked forward to the cakes she brought in. She enjoyed reading, gardening, games, and playing cards. She especially liked going to the casinos and occasionally winning! She is survived by one daughter, Denise, having lost her older daughter, Diane in 2007. She also leaves behind several dear cousins and many close friends.
