Jacqueline R. Gatz

(October 9, 1926 – September 29, 2021)

Jacqueline R. Gatz was born Jacqueline Ruth Crouse in Westwood, Massachusetts on October 9 ^th , 1926.  Her parents were Perry James and Mabel Olivia Crouse.  She was the youngest of 3 girls (Marjorie, Pauline).  She was preceded by her loving husband, Kunibert W. Gatz in 2003 and her son, Adam Kroll in 2018.

As a young girl Jacqueline started in at the head of the line as a majorette twirling her baton in front of the marching band. In high school she won the Red Feather beauty contest. She was offered an opportunity to go to Hollywood for a screen test, but instead enrolled in Skidmore College. Jacqueline soon transferred to Rhode Island School of Design where she earned a BFA in illustration.  In her late thirties and early forties she successfully showed Tennessee Walking horses in Cincinnati, Ohio and in the tristate area as well as in Tennessee. She loved all animals, but especially horses and poodles.  Later Jacqueline used her art degree to launch a 30 year successful interior design business in Miami and Stuart, Florida. Her work received a coveted feature in the renowned Architectural Digest magazine.

Jacqueline knew what she wanted in life and went after it with tenacity. She was equal parts charm, talent, guts and generosity. Having run life's race she finished her course well, and now as it is written in the Holy Scriptures, "… her children rise up and call her blessed…." Proverbs 31:28. She lived a long, full, and rich life. Jacqueline fought every obstacle and adversity with zeal and passion to the very end. She entered into her eternal rest just 10-days shy of her 95 ^th birthday. There will never be another "Z" as some affectionately call her. She had a way that touched everyone who knew her. She will be sorely missed by all who were blessed by her warmth and grace. This world is a better place for her having passed through here.

She is survived by her son Scott Baekeland (Shirley), her daughter Heidi Phillips (Gerry), and her daughter Amie Kroll; and three grandchildren Devon, Leo, and Errol.