Jacqueline Doris O'Donoghue (nee LaPrairie)

Jacqueline Doris LaPrairie O’Donoghue passed away in her sleep, in Calgary, on December 9, 2019. Predeceased by her husband of 56 years, Joseph Patrick Michael O’Donoghue (2008), her son Kevin, her grandson Kyle, her brothers Jules, Carl, Paul, Leon and Richard, and her sister Rosemary. Jacqueline was a mother to Maureen (Dwayne Grant), Colleen (Barrie Marsh), Michael, Patrick (Gail), Daniel (Debbie), Brian, Kevin, Joseph (Linda), Sean (Christina Stupka), Shannon (Greg Child), Sylvie Boivin, Cathy O’Donoghue, Rami Schandall and Kate Dembinski. Grandmother to Meghan, Courtenay and Kelly Grant; Andrew and Kaitlyn Marsh; Kate, Shane and Kevin; Kilian and Marie-Claire; Scott, Kyle, Mitch and Stacey; Brynn and Declan; Jacob, Jessie and Sephina; and Ariann Child. Great Grandmother (GG) to Kieran and Katie, Adelita and Leighton, Haley and Madison. She is also survived by her brothers George and Clifford LaPrairie.

Born October 29, 1929 in Timmins, Ontario, Jacqueline was the seventh of nine children of Beatrice and Adolphe ‘LaP’ LaPrairie. The LaPrairie family moved to Toronto in 1934, where Jacqueline lived until she married Joseph O’Donoghue in 1951. After living in  St. Catherines, Kenogami, Montreal, Toronto, Edmonton and Vancouver, Jacqueline and Joe moved to Calgary in 1969.

Words cannot describe how much we will miss her, or the positive influence she had on so many. She loved connecting with others: whether hosting large family gatherings, or dinner parties with friends, during her walks through the neighbourhood, at the pool multiple times per week, or just chatting with strangers at the grocery store. She was favourite ‘Aunt Jack’ to many nieces and nephews, beloved ‘Mrs. O’D’ to her kids’ friends and neighbours, and ‘Mother Superior’ to numerous new acquaintances. She loved the adventure in travel, and even in recent years made trips to Toronto, NYC, England, France, Haida Gwaii, the American SW and the West Coast. Her eyes sparkled even in her final days, and she was content to be surrounded by the family she treasured so much. Jacqueline never had a complaint to make, and found the beauty in the small moments. Her smile will forever be remembered by many.

Jacqueline was cremated in a private ceremony.

The family will host a 'Celebration of Life' at the Haysboro Community Hall (1204 89 Ave SW) on Saturday, February 15, 2020 from 5:00-9:00pm. There will be a tribute to Jackie at 6:00pm and dinner to follow.  Please let us know if you will be attending by RSVP by January 31 to CelebrateJacqueline@gmail.com or 403-253-4132.

She was a parishioner at St. Gerard’s Church for 50 years. A Funeral Mass will be held for Jacqueline on Saturday, January 4, 2019 at 11:00am with a reception and refreshments to follow in the church hall.

When Irish eyes are smiling

Sure, 'tis like the morn in Spring

In the lilt of Irish laughter

You can hear the angels sing

When Irish hearts are happy

All the world seems bright and gay

And when Irish eyes are smiling

Sure, they steal your heart away

For your smile is a part

Of the love in your heart

A-nd it makes even sunshine more bright
 

In lieu of flowers, Jacqueline would have said, “Make a donation!”. Please consider a donation to: 

The Calgary Drop-in Centre

(1 Dermot Baldwin Way SE, Calgary, AB T2G-0P8;  https://www.calgarydropin.ca/general-donations/)

or

Shunda Creek - Enviros Wilderness Addiction Treatment Centre

(220, 3115 12th St NE Calgary, AB T2E-7J2;  https://www.enviros.org/donate/)

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Jacqueline Doris O'Donoghue (nee LaPrairie), please visit our Tree Store.