JACQUELINE ROSE ACKERMAN

August 27th, 1966 – October 22nd, 2018

With love and thanksgiving for the gift of her life, the family of Jacquie Ackerman announces that she passed peacefully into the arms of the Father on Monday, October 22nd, 2018 in Moose Jaw, SK after a lengthy battle with cancer.  She was predeceased by her grandparents, Andrew and Matilda Ackerman and Ferdinand and Rose Eiswerth; and maternal aunt, Terry (Jolly).  Jacquie is survived by her parents, Richard and Agnes; brother, Patrick (Donna) and their children Carson and Skylar; aunt, Judy (Graham) Parker; aunts: Marie Gemmell, Laura Jaeger, and Sharon (Gary) Webb; uncle, Ron (Ruth) Eiswerth; and numerous cousins.  Jacquie was a devoted and proud aunt, and was always Carson and Skylar’s greatest cheerleader. She had an immensely diverse and devoted circle of friends. Jacquie was raised on the family farm near Chamberlain, SK.  She attended Lindale and Peacock schools in Moose Jaw, and graduated from the U of S with a degree in Music Education. She completed a Masters in Music from Northwestern University in Louisiana and a Masters in Educational Administration from the U of S.  Jacquie taught at Holy Cross High School for 13 years before becoming an administrator in many of the Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools, most recently as Assistant Principal at Bethlehem Catholic High School. She was passionate about helping students to reach their potential, and was recognized for her excellence by receiving the 2014 YWCA’s Women of Distinction award for Education.  Many will remember Jacquie for her involvement in the arts community. In her schools and with Gateway Players and Saskatoon Summer Players, she was choral coach, musical director, and actress. She brought ‘Kate’ in Kiss me Kate to life!  She served as a board member for the Sask. Choral Federation; Sask. Music Educators Association; Saskatoon Symphony; Chair of the Bishop’s Gala; and many committees within GSCS.  Jacquie was an amazing soprano, and was a member of Greystone Singers, Saskatoon Chamber Singers, and was actively involved in music ministry in her schools and parishes. Jacquie took great pride in her home.  She was very self-reliant and there was nothing she couldn’t fix! She enjoyed entertaining and had dishes and serviettes for every occasion. She loved to cook and bake as well as wine and dine. She had a garden that was second to none and many of her friends were fortunate to be recipients of her green thumb.  She took great pride in having her yard and garden selected to be on the Saskatoon Summer Garden Tours. Jacquie also started student gardens at many of the high schools she was at, teaching students the value of finishing a job and reaping the rewards. She was an accomplished seamstress and craftsperson. Jacquie was incredibly fashion conscious and had a shoe collection to rival that of Kate Middleton!  Jacquie was sustained by her faith and had a strong sense of right and wrong. She was never slow to offer an honest opinion and people appreciated that attribute. She made friends wherever she went whether on staff, in choirs or shows, at the curling rink, or while waiting for chemo treatments. A musical celebration will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, October 26th, 2018 at Holy Spirit Parish, 114 Kingsmere Place, Saskatoon, SK.  The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Fr. David Tumback and Fr. Darryl Millette at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, October 27th, 2018 at Holy Spirit Parish.  Interment will take place at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 28th, 2018 at Chamberlain Cemetery.  Memorial donations for those requesting a tax receipt may be made in honour of Jacquie’s name to the FHHR Home Care Palliative Program c/o Crescent View Clinic, 131 – 1st Ave NE, Moose Jaw, SK S6H 0Y9 or the Chamberlain Cemetery Fund, Box 2, Chamberlain, SK S0G 0R0.  Those not requesting a tax receipt may also donate to the Heartland Hospice, Box 334, Moose Jaw, SK S6H 4N9.

Do not stand at my grave and cry. I am not there; I did not die.

Mary Elizabeth Frye

Arrangements are entrusted to Moose Jaw Funeral Home, 268 Mulberry Lane.  Calvin Gammel, Funeral Director 306-693-4550