Jacquellin L McAvoy, 85

Jackie L McAvoy, 85 was born in Colfax, Wash., April 27, 1937, to the late Howard and Erma Sorrell. Her family moved to Post Falls in 1949 and Jackie began the seventh grade. She was a member of the Post Falls close-knit class of 1955.

Jackie was married to Jerry Duczek in 1956 and soon after started their family that would include Kathie, Peter, Tonia and Nikki. They divorced in 1966.

It was at work that Jackie would meet her second husband, Varl McAvoy. Varl had three children from a previous marriage — Michael, John and Jack. Jackie and Varl remained in Post Falls for several years. After becoming empty nesters they moved to Ukiah and then Eureka, Calif., where they both continued to work for Louisiana Pacific. When not working, you would often find the two of them camping, fishing, and playing cribbage.

After 23 years with Louisiana Pacific in Post Falls/Coeur d'Alene and California. She returned "home" and stayed busy volunteering in her community. She served on the Post Falls City Council, sat on the Post Falls Senior Center Board, and was involved in the Kootenai County Juvenile Diversion program, Post Falls Park and Recreation Commissioner, and was a member of the Post Falls Community Volunteers. She took an active part in the Women in Timber organization, and in 2003 she traveled to Washington D.C. to testify before the Senate regarding Healthy Forests Restoration Legislation and met President George W. Bush in the Rose Garden, one of her proudest moments. In 2009 the Post Falls Chamber announced Jackie as their Citizen of the year.

Once Jackie retired, she rarely missed an event that her kids or grandkids were involved in. She would travel wherever the action was; baseball, basketball, graduations, weddings, or to simply spend some time with family during the holidays. She once said "my kids' successes are really important to me. I'm very proud of them."

Jackie is survived by her daughters: Kathie Chirhart (Tom), Tonia Duczek (Jim Frank), Nikki Lynch (Joel). She was predeceased by her son Peter Duczek and her husband Varl McAvoy. Jackie leaves behind two sisters Charlene Phillips and Janet Johnson. She is also survived by her 12 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the staff at Callaway Gardens Memory Center in the Tri-Cities and Chaplaincy Hospice Care for the kindness, love and care they provided our Momma.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Chaplaincy Hospice Care, 1480 Fowler St., Kennewick, Wash., 99352