Jacqueline B. 'Jacky' Severson, 83

The amazing life of Jacqueline B. “Jacky” Severson began on March 14, 1928.

She passed away with her family by her side at North Valley Hospital on Thursday, Dec. 8, 2011, in Whitefish.

  She was born the daughter of Milt and Anna (Yunker) Jones in Cut Bank.

Jacky and Jim lived much of their lives in Shelby, spending a few years traveling south during the winter, but Whitefish became their home. Jacky spent hours in the bleachers going to football and basketball games, track meets, and any other event she could watch and cheer for her “boys” (Matt, Cody and Taylor). She was “Gram” to all their friends, and they all knew where to come for snacks and TLC.

She recently got to spend Thanksgiving with Christina and Loren, and was so grateful to listen to Christina sing and play the guitar and piano, and to spend time with Loren and enjoy her fun personality and sense of humor, and play a few games of cards. All of her family had the chance to be with her one last time to tell her they loved her and how special she was in their lives.

Jacky was a friend of Bill W. for more than 40 years; she began a career in chemical dependency counseling, serving the Cut Bank/Shelby/Conrad/Chester area. There were many nights her “office” was the couch at her home and she never turned away those who needed her.  She was employed by Flathead Valley Chemical Dependency Clinic at the time of her retirement.

Jacky was fortunate to be able to travel the world on several occasions to visit her older brother who lived in Singapore; she seemed fearless in her ability to go wherever and whenever she could, and loved seeing places in the world most of us can only dream of.

At the young age of 81, she had her first hole-in-one on the Whitefish Golf Club; what a day that was! It cost her $20 to buy a round, but it was “the best money she ever spent.” She had so many wonderful days on the course, going another nine holes when the rest of us were too hot or too tired to hit another ball.

She was blessed with wonderful friends she considered family; her dear friends in Shelby and Cut Bank, her golfing buddies, her church family, her AA family and all the “kids” she met along the way.

Jacky is survived by her husband, Jim; son, Bruce and Mary; and daughter, Jayne and Jim Martinson. She was further blessed with her grandchildren Rebecca and Todd, Jennifer, Matt, and Cody and Karie. Her great-grandchildren, Christina, Loren and Taylor completed her world. Her “adopted son,” Pete Jansen from Shelby, made her laugh and see the humor in everything.

She was preceded in death by older brother, Lloyd; and her younger brother, Bill.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 12, at Austin Funeral Home in Whitefish. A memorial service will follow in Shelby at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 13, at Whitted Funeral Chapel. 

You are welcome to go to www.austinfh.com to offer condolences, share memories and view Jacky’s tribute wall.