Art Beat: Remembering Jackie Donoho

I’d like to dedicate this week’s column to Jackie Donoho, who will be missed by many. She’s remembered as many things. She was a savvy business teacher, a helpful tax consultant with H&R Block, an avid traveler, a strong mother, an adoring grandmother, and a loyal friend, just to name a few.

“She didn’t work last winter. That was the first winter she didn’t work. She told me, ‘if you’re not working, if you’re not busy and doing something, that’s when you get old. She wasn’t old. Two nights before she died, she was at my brother’s house kicking butt playing cards,” Karen said with a laugh. “She would say, ‘you have to make priorities. You’re not going to live forever. You need to live your life now.’ That’s always been my takeaway with my mom. She lived life to the fullest.”

The unifying theme of Jackie’s life was her love for life and her loved ones. She saw life as an adventure and lived it the way she wanted.

“She was not one to sit around and not be doing something,” Karen said.

Above all, Jackie wanted to share life’s adventures with others and was always surrounded by family and friends, a trait her daughter Karen Salisbury admires most.

“She loved bingo and the casino,” Karen said with a laugh. “She was a really strong woman. She was the greatest grandma.”

Jackie was best friends with my grandmother, Sandy Mann. She was her go-to bingo partner and constant travel companion. They frequented casinos in Vegas and others across the country together over the years. Whenever my grandma went on a road trip, Jackie was usually there.

They were always doing something together and never went long without seeing each other or calling to check-in. She said that she’s going to miss always having her around.

“She was always there, right next to me,” Sandy said with a laugh. “She liked to always have people around. I don’t all the time but that’s me… She was a really good person. She was always there for me, and if needed advice on my income taxes or just anything in general. She was my super good friend.”

Cheyanne Schmalzried shared the following statement about Jackie’s life, “My grandmother was a great many things” as any good grandchild would say about their beloved grandparent; but my grandma was the best grandma she could be. She was modest, though her taste in fashion and adventurous lifestyle would boast otherwise. She was loving and supportive, but with a quick wit and blunt way about things that would make you wonder.”

I grew up with Jackie in my life and it’s going to be strange not seeing her every once in a while. I’m going to miss her, like so many others. Every time I caught up with her these last few years, she told me, “I still see your articles in the Frontiersman.” Wherever she is now, I hope she can read this and smile knowing that so many people think so much about her so much of the time.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com