Mrs. Jacquelyn McConnell

November 14, 1925 - December 17, 2010

Jacquelyn McConnell, 85, of North Vernon, passed away at 10:05 a.m. on Friday, December 17, 2010, at Hospice of South Central Inpatient Facility in Columbus.

Jackie was born on November 14, 1925, in Seattle, Washington, to the late John A. and Monica (Gill) Cunningham. She grew up in Caruthersville, Missouri. She attended Purdue University where she earned a Bachelor's degree in Bacteriology in 1947.

She started her first of many careers as a microbiologist at the Maybury Sanitarium in Northville, Michigan, specializing in tuberculosis research. She later moved to Indianapolis where she worked for the Indiana State Department of Health. While in Indianapolis, she met the love of her life, Harold McConnell. They were married on June 18, 1949, at St. Mary's Cathedral in Lafayette, Indiana. They settled in North Vernon, Indiana, where they raised their seven children.

As her children were growing up, Jackie embarked on her next career, earning a master's degree in Education from Indiana University in 1975 and taught middle school science. After earning a second master's degree in Counseling from Indiana University and accreditation from the National Board for Certified Counselors, she worked as an elementary school guidance counselor for Jennings County Schools until her retirement in 1989.

Throughout her life, Jackie showed tireless dedication to community service and helping those in need, with a focus on women's and children's issues. She was a lifelong Girl Scout serving as a Girl Scout troop leader, local chairperson and as a board member for the South Central Indiana Regional Charter. She served on the Board of Directors of Quinco Consulting from 1975-77. She was an advocate for the Jennings County United Way, for which she served as President of the Board of Directors.

Jackie was an active member of Friends of the Jennings County Library, and a volunteer at St. Vincent de Paul. Additionally, she was a member of the Wednesday Research Club, serving as President two times; the Retired Teachers Association; the Jennings County Child Protection Services Team; and St. Mary's Catholic Church, among many other organizations.

She leaves behind Harold, her beloved husband of 61 years, son John, and daughters Lucy Burns (Leo), Kathy Lockhart (Bob), Annette Sanford (Scott) and Mary McConnell (Marc Doshay). She will also be missed by her seven grandchildren Vicki, Nate, Tom, Michael, Rachel, Miles and Monica. She was preceded in death by her two sons, Tom and Brian, and her brother John Cunningham.

Funeral Information

Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday, December 22, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church. Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 21, 2010, and from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service on Wednesday at Sawyer-Pickett Funeral Home. Interment will be at Vernon Cemetery. A rosary will begin at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

Donations Information

Memorials may be made to St. Mary's School through the funeral home.