Jacquelyn Ann O’Dowd

Jacquelyn (Jackie) O’Dowd was born to Margaret Childers Huff and Jack Morton on January 16, 1936, and was raised with stepfather Leonard Huff.

Jackie graduated from Central High School in 1954. She then stayed home to care for her four children and she was an active member of the McCoy Elementary PTA. Notably, she was part of the campaign for children’s safety, which advocated for legislation requiring children to wear seat belts, and also advocated for the inclusion of special needs and disabled children in public schools. After her kids grew up, Jackie worked in many places at the Blue Ridge Mall, until she retired from Montgomery Ward in order to care for her mother for the next 20 years.

In her free time, Jackie was an avid reader, who loved mystery novels. She enjoyed sewing, quilting and spending time with her family. She was an incredible seamstress, sewing every single piece for her daughter’s wedding. Many babies were blessed by her blankets, booties and burp cloths. Many families were recipients of her crocheted hats, blankets and snowmen. Jackie enjoyed baking and reading cookbooks! Her baking was so good, one of her nephews ironed clothes in exchange for her chocolate chip cookies. Jackie would get very creative with her recipes, but anything with chocolate or cinnamon was her favorite. She was a word search master and a whiz at puzzle books. Jackie even loved to play video games, until one day in the 90’s, when her doctor gave her an ultimatum. Jackie’s hands simply couldn’t handle all of her hobbies, and so she reluctantly gave up the video games in order to continue to sew and cross stitch. Jackie was smart, strong and stubborn, but full of so much love.

Jackie is preceded in death by her parents; sister Barbara Flippin and brothers Allen Huff and Robert Morton.

She is survived by her children Vicki Zarrillo (the late Paul Zarrillo); Mark O’Dowd (Shelley); Michelle Alford (the late Harold Alford) and Tamara O’Dowd; grandchildren Shawn O’Dowd (Heather); Chris O’Dowd (Holly); Chante Burch; Angie Judy (Matthew); Nicholas O’Dowd (Sara) and Tanya Alford; along with cousins, nieces and nephews and sister-in-law Doreen Huff.

In her last few years, her favorite times were spent with her four great grandchildren Aliecia, Jasmine, Nora and Jack, who would bring sweets, cookies, and sweet tea to her at the nursing home with lots and lots of hugs. Her greatest joy of life was time spent being called great grandma.

A Celebration of Life will be held in her honor Sunday, March 3, 2024 from 2-4pm, at Gudgell Park Community of Christ Church, 500 E. Gudgell Ave, Independence, Missouri 64055. In lieu of formal services, please join the family in Gudgell Park’s Reception Hall for cookies and tea for Jackie, a time of sharing and celebrating.

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