Jackie, as she was known to all, passed away on Dec. 21, 2012 in Freeland, as the result of a brain tumor discovered in early October.
Jackie was born Aug. 14, 1934, to John and Marguerite Van Valkenburg in Port Townsend and was raised there with two sisters. Jackie graduated from high school in Port Townsend in 1952 and remained close to classmates through correspondence and reunions.
Jackie moved to Cheney, Wash., in 1964 with her husband, Graham, and her two sons, Gib and Scott, from a previous marriage. Daughter Erika was born there in 1965. While in Cheney, Jackie completed her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, and later her MBA, at Eastern Washington University.
The family moved to Olympia in 1972 where Jackie began a 20-year career as a financial analyst with the Higher Education Coordinating Board. Some of her research became the basis for tuition and fee rates and faculty salaries. She also wrote an updated plan for coordinated nursing education for Washington State. As an avocation she was part-owner and instructor for a stained glass studio.
Jackie retired from state service in 1993. She and Graham moved to Spokane where they owned and operated the historic Fotheringham House Bed and Breakfast. While in Spokane she became a Master Gardener.
Eight years later, they moved to the Bells Beach area near Langley. Jackie became active in the WSU Island County Beach Watchers program where she was known for her leadership including planning Sound Waters programs, and for her crab dinner fundraisers. She continued to enjoy her passion for travel and good wine with trips to France and Italy.
Jackie is survived by her husband, son Gib, daughter Erika and son-in-law Guy Dunn, grandsons Nicholas and Braden Secord, and granddaughter Emma Dunn in Kirkland, and daughter-in-law Karen Johnson and granddaughter Chloe Johnson in Seattle. Son Scott preceded her in death in October, 2012.
A memorial celebration of life for Jackie will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2013, at 2 p.m. at the Langley United Methodist Church.
Memorial donations in Jackie’s name may be made to the Enso House, 6339 Wahl Rd. Freeland, WA 98249, or to LEP/ Beach Watchers, c/o WSU Extension, Coupeville.