Loving Mom & Wife Jacquelyn L. Lillian born July 8, 1931 in Bellingham, WA to Audrey Hoke Wells and Alexander Wells died in peace with family at her side on July 11, 2015 in Kirkland, WA.
Jackie was born in Bellingham, WA. She had a older sister Carrie Wells and older brother Alexander “Jack” Wells. Jackie went to kindergarten at Western Wash. State Collage and then on to Franklin grade & Whatcom JR high school in Bellingham. When she moved to Seattle at age 14 she started her freshman year of high school at Queen Anne HS before transferring to Holy Names Academy for her sophomore year. She returned to Queen Anne HS to finish her Jr. & Sr. years where she graduated in 1949.
She met her husband Frederick A. Lillian at Queen Anne HS where they flirted a bit. Dating began in June of 1950, and after only a month they were engaged on July 2, 1950. Due to the outbreak of the Korean War, Fred was called to active duty on August 9, 1950, with the 11th Infantry Bn. USMCR. Fred served as a Marine in Korea and was part of the “Chosen Few”. A couple of days before Christmas 1951 Fred returned home to Seattle. Fred & Jackie were married on July 2, 1952 exactly two years to the day of their engagement.
While Fred was serving in Korea, Jackie worked for her mother’s real estate business managing the small office. Her business management skills and integrity enabled Jackie to work for such companies as Security Mortgage, Marshall McClendon, Northern Life Ins., Canada Dry and Foster & Kleiser.
Fred & Jackie decided early in their marriage that she would be a stay at home mother and forgo the luxuries that a two income family could provide. Jackie managed very well the finances so that none of her children ever felt without. Jackie was a mother who took her calling of motherhood seriously. She made certain she taught her children, right from wrong, forgiveness and the importance of a strong moral compass. She lived the example of the 10 Commandments and the Golden Rule. She lived up to the meaning of her name “truthful one”, and it is said of her that she never told a lie.
Jackie was gifted with many talents. In the realm of art she was a creative and a master in many mediums, drawings, oil painting and watercolors. Jackie avidly enjoyed the outdoors, hiking, boating, crabbing, golf and all the activities the northwest lifestyle has to offer. Jackie even tried mountain climbing but found that experience is one that she could live without ever again! She was the best fisherman in the family, and always seemed to have the “Lucky Pole”!
Jackie loved music of most sorts but particularly Scottish & Irish. Her love of music & rhythm made her an excellent dancer, jitter bug, hokey pokey, tap, you name it she could do it!
After her mother passed, Jackie developed a passion for genealogy. Searching for the genealogy of the family became one of Jackie’s lifelong missions. Jackie spent many hours, and at times, many weeks on end, in libraries around the country & world searching for the family roots. Jackie was a perfectionist and made certain of the accuracy of the genealogical history she was creating.
For a time after the kids were grown and before Fred’s retirement, Jackie tried her hand at business again. With her keen eye for knowing what colors make a person look good, she became affiliated with “Color Me a Season”. After Fred’s retirement, Jackie found travel important. Together Fred & Jackie traveled East to China & West to Europe and several cross country road trips in between.
Jackie is survived by her loving husband Frederick A Lillian and her three children, Kathleen (Jim) Jaderholm, Fred (Kim) Lillian and Colleen (Pat) Walsh. She leaves behind 14 Grandchildren and 8 Great Grandchildren.
Viewing and Mass will be held at:
St. John Vianney Catholic Church
12600 – 84th AVE NE
Kirkland, WA 98034
Thursday July 23, 2015
Viewing: 10:00 AM
Service: 11:00 AM – Reception To Follow
Internment at Tahoma National Cemetery on July 24, 2015 at 11:15 AM
The family wishes to thank all those who have supported us and especially Evergreen Hospital & Evergreen Hospice for all the care and support they have given.
Donations To American Lung Association