Jackie was the beloved wife of Neal and loving mother of Beth and Kelly. She is also survived by 14 nieces and nephews. Jackie was the daughter of the late Elmer and Betty Kelling. She was born and raised in San Francisco among a large extended family of Italian heritage. Jackie attended Galileo High School and graduated from San Francisco State College as an elementary school teacher. She and Neal moved to Lafayette in 1955 and she started teaching then, pausing to have her daughters. When she returned to teaching at Pleasant Hill Elementary she stayed there for 27 years, making close and lifelong friendships along the way. Many of her former students would greet her around town and she had an amazing capacity to remember all their names.

Jackie was an incredible cook and was collecting new recipes up until the end. Many special moments were spent by friends and family enjoying her cooking and hospitality. Jackie and Neal loved to travel and had a special love for Hawaii. Her capacity to make and keep friends was exceptional and she embraced every new technology available, becoming an avid computer user and texting until her last day. Jackie will be missed by her family and friends.