Jackie Hoover Jones, extraordinary wife, mom, daughter, sister, nana, and dear friend to so many, passed away peacefully on March 25, 2024. She battled ovarian cancer until the very end.

Jackie was born to Ken and Janet Hoover on November 2, 1965, in Huntington, West Virginia, and was the middle child between Sue and Kenneth. Their childhood was filled with many adventures and took them to Minnesota (where Jackie attended Wayzata HS) and then onto Arizona, where she attended ASU. This is where she first met her beloved Scott (1985).

What started as a beautiful friendship continued as Jackie finished her undergraduate work in Exercise Science (1988) and then a Master’s in Health & Sports Science at Wake Forest University (1990). Jackie & Scott were married in 1992 and soon after welcomed her two greatest gifts, Kelsey (1994) and Tyler (1997). While raising two wonderful children provided many joys, in 2007, she pursued coursework in Dietetics and four years later became a Registered Dietician. This led to 12 years of instruction as an adjunct professor at Maricopa Community Colleges for online Food and Nutrition courses.

When a new job for Scott took the family to Wisconsin in 2012, it also led Jackie to a new opportunity as well. Her most rewarding work was when she was teaching healthy eating and cooking skills to middle school students and their families through two programs funded by Marquette University – Youth Empowered to Succeed (YES) and Families Inspired Together (FIT). Jackie had a unique way of reaching out to and empowering young people that provided a pathway to their success. And they loved her for it.

Whether it was her family’s activities, time with friends, volunteering at Family Promise and Feed My Starving Children, or delivering care bags for the homeless, Jackie always strived to be a follower of Christ, sharing love and compassion as part of her daily life.

All those who knew her will say that Jackie was the best listener, and her way of saying the right thing at the right time was truly a gift. And she was so thrilled to become a nana in August (2023) with the arrival of Hunter. The love she showered on him was endless and filled her with such joy.

Jackie loved her family, her friends and her faith deeply. She will be forever in our hearts and remembered for being such a beautiful soul.

Jackie is survived by her husband, Scott, daughter Kelsey, son Tyler, grandson Hunter, parents Ken and Janet, sister Sue, and brother Ken.

A Celebration of Life will be held for Jackie on May 4th, 10:30 am, at Desert Cross Lutheran Church, 8600 South McClintock Drive, Tempe, AZ. A link to the live stream will also be available closer to the date for those who cannot attend.

In lieu of flowers, please consider performing a random act of kindness in her honor, and/or a donation to the following charities: American Cancer Society, Feed My Starving Children, Family Promise.  

Send to someone

Share this obituary with others

https://everloved.com/life-of/jackie-jones-gilbert-az/obituary/

Copy