This wonderful obituary from Hardage-Giddens Riverside Memorial Park and Funeral Home, Jacksonville, FL. as postred on dignity.com tell the story of our most amazing lady, Jacqueline Joan “Jackie” (Schiavoni) Illingworth, class of 1942!
Jackie died on 12-11-19, shortly before her 95th birthday. Jackie was born in New York City and grew up in Holbrook, Long Island. She has been a resident of Jacksonville FL since 2003.
Jackie is survived by her children, whom she adored, Susan Illingworth (Sandy) of Jacksonville; and sons Thom (Karen) in NC and Scott (Lucy) in IA. She is also survived by her sister-in-law Muriel Schiavoni, (Indialantic, FL). Jackie was pre-deceased by her infant son from a former marriage, Robert Paul Constant; her husband Herb Illingworth; and brother Alexander Schiavoni of Indialantic.
Jackie loved singing in school and was voted “most popular” girl at Sayville High School, class of 1942.
As a teenager, she was a contributing reporter for 3 Long Island newspapers. Following H.S. graduation, she moved to NY City at age 17. Jackie became a secretary at Columbia University and worked on the Manhattan Project during WWII. At age 20, Jackie enlisted into the United States Navy as a WAVE and sang with the Navy Band and the Paul Whiteman Orchestra as they entertained servicemen on the radio, and military venues in the Washington DC area. After WWII, Jackie enrolled as a voice major at the New York College of Music (now part of NYU).
Jackie married after the Navy and worked as a secretary in NYC. After a few years, and the death of her infant son Robert, that marriage ended. At age 25, Jackie moved to Englewood NJ where she met the love of her life, Herbert W. Illingworth. Jackie and Herb were married for 56 years. They lived 27 years in Melbourne, FL area prior to moving to Jacksonville in 2003.
Prior to retirement, Jackie continued to work as an executive secretary at various colleges and universities over the years. Throughout her lifetime, Jackie would sing and perform in church choirs, operettas, symphonies, and little theatre performances. Jackie’s lovely soprano voice and her dramatic ability found her in leading roles on the stages of the Wilmington (Delaware) Opera Society, the Melbourne Civic Theatre, the Surfside Players, and the Cocoa Dinner Theatre. Jackie also sang with the Brevard Community Orchestra Singers and was a soprano soloist in churches throughout her life. She was well known in the Melbourne theatre community.
Jackie was spirited and outgoing. She was bright, creative, opinionated, and a woman before her time. These wonderful attributes conflicted at times with her insecurities. She was fiercely loyal to her family despite some protestations. An avid reader, Jackie was an interesting conversationalist and well-versed on many topics. She always seemed younger than she was and never let advancing age deter her. At age 55, she backpacked around Europe with her daughter. She learned the piano at 60. At 67, Jackie graduated from Brevard Community College in Melbourne, FL with her A.A. degree, and was a member of the Phi Theta Kappa National Honorary Fraternity. At age 84, Jackie enrolled at UNF as a Junior matriculating towards a B.A. degree in English.
Jackie was always active in her communities. As a Navy veteran, she belonged to the Barbara Frietchie American Legion Post in NYC. She was the founding President of a Federated Women’s Club in Newark, DE; a Scout Den Mother; a hospital auxiliary “Pink Lady”; and active in PTA and Band Boosters. She was a member of the Space Coast Unit 75 of WAVES NATIONAL in Melbourne where she enjoyed many friendships with other women veterans. Jackie had a love of life and cherished her many loyal friends, some of whom she had known for over 65 years. Jackie will be missed but not forgotten. May she be free to sing with the angels and laugh with her husband Herb again.
Jackie was a member of the Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, 1100 Stockton Street, Jacksonville where a memorial service to celebrate her life will be held in January 2020 (date to be determined – please check this website for detailed info or text Sue at 904-534-3581).
To honor Jackie’s love of singing, and for those so inclined, in lieu of flowers, she requested donations be made in her name to the Bridges of Harmony Chorus, PO Box 2302, Jacksonville FL 32203.
Final arrangements have been entrusted to Hardage-Giddens Riverside Memorial Park and Funeral Home, Jacksonville, FL. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 18, 2020 at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church 1100 Stockton Street, Jacksonville FL 32204. Her service begins at 2pm with refreshments after.
From: https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/jacksonville-fl/jacqueline-illingworth-8960117
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