Jacquelynn Smith

Jacquelynn S. "Jackie" Smith, a no-nonsense, generous, family-loving woman who worked behind the scenes to protect the United States during the Cold War, passed away peacefully Nov. 7, 2015, following a brief, but fierce, battle with cancer. Jackie was born Nov. 11, 1944, in Denver, to Jack Pershing and Margaret Ann Livingston, but spent her formative years in Los Alamos, N.M. developing a love for the famous Hatch chiles. Following graduation from Nevada Southern University with a bachelor's degree in elementary education, Jackie began working for the defense contractors responsible for work at the Nevada Test Site and National Laboratories. This work was a family affair, as Jackie's parents had also worked at the Los Alamos National Laboratory and the Nevada Test Site. From this important work, Jackie learned to suffer no fools and built lifelong friendships with several of her co-workers (particularly at EG&G) through and after her retirement in 2008. Many of Jackie's lessons were summarized in short, memorable mottos. A favorite one for her was that someone had "more money than good sense." Jackie was generous and selfless to a fault, supporting the needs of family, friends and even strangers before her own. Jackie valued continued learning, whether by encouraging many to continue advanced education, or through public radio. Every year, she combined her unabashed love for Sabra, her only child, with public radio by announcing a birthday message to all of southern Nevada on Sabra's birthday. In recent years, Jackie turned additional attention to her two grandsons, particularly enjoying baking cookies with them. Jackie loved to sew, creating beautiful and functional clothing for the whole family. In fact, Jackie made each of her daughter's beautiful homecoming and prom dresses with love and expertise. She also enjoyed following politics and caring for her cats. Jackie is survived by her daughter, Sabra Smith Newby; son-in-law, Craig Newby; and grandsons, Jack and Liam Newby. She is also survived by her beloved sister and friend, Valerie Ann Dretzka; her brother-in-law and confidante, Kip Dretzka; her niece, Morgan Townsend; and nephew, Joshua Townsend. There will be a Mass to memorialize Jackie Smith at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, at Our Lady of Las Vegas Catholic Church, 3050 Alta Drive. There will be a private wake for family and friends Friday, Dec. 4. In lieu of flowers, Jackie would have wanted donations to be made in her name to Nevada Public Radio (KNPR) at www.knpr.org.

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