Jacqueline Evelyn Smithey Cornelius, 83

Jacqueline Cornelius, much-loved mother, Nana, and friend, went to be with her Savior, Jesus Christ, Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2010. She died peacefully in her sleep at home from cancer. Known as Jackie, she spent her lifetime thinking of others. She was born in 1926 in El Paso, Texas, to Paul and Emerald Kinne O Toole Smithey. She attended the University of Washington. Marrying Eugene Lance in 1945, they moved to Columbia Falls, where their daughters Judy, Laurie and Mary were born. Jackie worked at Plum Creek and retired from the Montana Veterans Home. She married Harry Armstrong after moving to Whitefish. She bought the East Side Grocery. Harry s Music and Games plus the Montessori School were based there. Remodeling the building into apartments, Jackie designed and built much of them herself. While snow birding 19 winters in Mesa, Ariz., she married Howard Cornelius. He preceded her in death in 2003. Jackie became site manager for the Whitefish Golden Agers, retiring in 2007. People say, What a great friend Jackie was! Survivors include brother, Retired Col. Paul C. and Virginia Smithey, of Florida; daughters, Judy and Irwin Bennett of Kalispell, Laurie and Dwayne Thramer of Columbia Falls, and Mary and Marc Gallo of Seattle; and grandchildren, Beth and Marilyn Bennett, and Brian and Greg Thramer. A celebration of her life will be held on Jackie s birthday, April 3, at the Golden Agers. The family suggests memorial donations be made to the Veteran s Home.