Jacquelyn Joan Stanfill

Jacquelyn Joan Stanfill (1959 - 2020) 

Our world was shaken by the loss of Jackie Stanfill on Wednesday, November 11, 2020. She was an outstanding member of the community, who both made a difference in everyone's lives and did so with quiet competence. There would always have been one more thing to undertake had death not interrupted.

Always ambitious and determined, Jackie graduated from Sacramento State University with a BA degree in psychology at 37 years old, while also working full-time and raising her two eldest children as a single mom. 

Jackie had a thirty-four-year career with Sutter County, where she had a positive impact on the children and families she served as well as the staff she worked with. She started working with Sutter County as an eligibility worker within the Welfare Department before moving on to work in vocational services at Greater Avenues for Independence (GAIN) helping folks find employment. She moved on from there to work with Sutter Yuba Behavioral Health, where she served as Program Manager of Children’s System of Care, a program that helped at-risk youth and their families to get the help and resources they needed. She took an early retirement in 2014 to focus on her health and family after she was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, Uterine Leiomyosarcoma.

After retirement, Jackie inspired many with her courage and spiritual focus. She displayed an inner strength as she defied the odds to live a full and motivating life throughout her countless health challenges, which included innumerable operations and treatments over the nearly seven years since her diagnosis. It would be impossible to count the hours or the miles spent traveling to far-reaching centers that were the only places to get specific kinds of treatments for her stubborn form of cancer.

Through it all, Jackie loved her home in the country, her family, and her animals. She also developed an interest in alternative healing methods and nutrition. She was an avid reader and spiritual seeker, finding a spiritual home and community with the Oroville Center for Spiritual Living, where she took classes towards becoming a Licensed Practitioner. She always delighted the congregation on special Sundays when she facilitated services with her Tibetan singing bowls.

She served on the Board of Directors at the Spiritual Center, as well as serving on the school board at her children's school. To virtually her last breath, she was offering love, gratitude and inspiration to those around her. It is difficult to imagine a more courageous and loving soul. All who knew her were deeply moved by her presence.

Jackie leaves behind her partner of 21 years, Alyson, and four children, Honor, Devon, Mel Stanfill and Daniel Stanfill (Burgandy Williams), as well as many relatives, friends, church and chosen family members. She was preceded in death by her parents, Mary Catherine and Jack Edward Bowlus, as well as her sister Judy Lindvall and her niece Shelly Lindvall. Before she died, Jackie said she was looking forward to seeing her beloved Buddy (Catahoula Leopard dog) who also preceded her in death.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions and concern for public safety, the family is postponing memorial services until such time when it is safer to gather together—likely in November of 2021. If you would like to be notified of details of the memorial when they are finalized, please send an email to JackieMemorialFund@gmail.com.

One of Jackie’s sacred places was Prairie Creek State Park, where she communed with the redwoods she loved and spent days with her family among the grandmother trees. The family has established a GoFundMe account to receive donations in lieu of flowers to dedicate a redwood tree to Jackie through Save the Redwoods League and to conservation/restoration efforts through Redwoods Parks Conservancy. For more details on this effort, follow this link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/redwood-tree-for-jackie

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