Obituary of Jacqueline Christine Gillespie

Jacqueline Christine Gillespie (Sheridan)

Jackie Christine passed away early Monday morning April 10th, after a courageous battle with Lewy Body Dementia.   Family members were at her bedside at Catholic Eldercare in NE Minneapolis until the end. Born August 1, 1945 in Grand Forks, North Dakota, she was the loving daughter of William and Velma Sheridan.  She grew up in north Minneapolis and graduated from Patrick Henry High School in 1963. She met her future husband John while working at the Lyric Theatre in Minneapolis.  She was a candy girl and he was head usher (frequently persuading her to give him free hot dogs).   After some studying at the U of MN Jackie took off in her ‘65 Ford Galaxy convertible, trailer in tow, with her pal Nancy and spent a year in Oakland, CA.  After a new year’s eve proposal, she married John, and moved to Denver, Colorado with him in 1968.  After seven years their daughter Amy was born and she and John became devoted parents.  With 3 month old Amy in a dresser drawer in the back seat of a white Ford Mustang, Welsh Terrier pup at her side, the little family of three moved back to MN.  Jackie  trained to be a legal secretary and ended her career with 25 years of service as a manager in the Hennepin County Library System spending time at the Brooklyn Center, Southdale, Golden Valley and Eden Prairie library branches.

Jackie had the ability to be sweet and sarcastic at the same time; it was her superpower and loved by all who knew her. She and John enjoyed walks around the neighborhood, especially in spring and would talk to neighbors along the way.  Jackie loved dogs and had several of her own over the years.  Every dog in her path received a special greeting.  Spending time with her family and friends, going out to eat and to movies, listening to live music, attending art fairs, Broadway musicals at the Orpheum and other local events were important to Jackie.  Shopping and having a cup of coffee were her simple pleasures.  Some of her favorite places were the North Shore in MN, Lanesboro (MN), and Maddens’ Resort in the fall for ladies’ weekend.  Watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade was a favorite family tradition and in 2007 she attended live, in NYC. Family members have fond memories of holidays hosted by Jackie.  She and John were longtime Golden Valley, MN residents.

Preceded in death by her parents and grandparents.  She is survived by her loving husband, John (married for 54 years) of NE Minneapolis, her beloved daughter Amy (Blaise) Shatava of Corcoran, her siblings Dan of Brooklyn Park and Dawn of Shoreview; as well as by many cherished brothers and sisters-in law, nieces, nephews and their children and longtime friends.

Visitation will be at 4:00, Tue. April 25th, with memorial service to follow at 5:00 and a celebration of life reception afterward at the Cremation Society of MN in Edina.

Memorials are preferred to Catholic Eldercare or the Alzheimers Association