“A successful life is being the best person I can with what I was given, and accepting people around me are trying to do the same.”

Jacqueline “Jackie” Marie Cheape Kennedy was born on November 10, 1948, in Charlottesville, Virginia and died peacefully at her home in Lexington, North Carolina on November 9, 2022. She did, in her own words, live a very successful life.

“Family is who we are and what we hope to become. They are our best friends and people you can always count on.”

Jackie was surrounded by loving family and friends throughout her life.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Windsor and Evelyn Cheape; her brother George “Chip” Cheape; and her cousin Leigh Sarkozi, who she considered a sister, as well as cherished aunts and uncles.

She is survived by her beloved husband of 55 years, Edward “Ed” Kennedy and her children and grandchildren: Kathleen Gill, her husband Tom and their daughter Piper; Kelly Marchal and her husband Matt; Dorothy Hurt, her husband Jed and their daughter Mattie Windsor; her brother Charles “Chuck” Cheape; and her nephew and niece, George “Foots” Cheape and Allison McGarry; as well as extended family, cousins and special friends – Mike and Teeny Fox, Richard and Ernie Wood, and her North Carolina sister Dottie with husband Don.

Jackie’s bright smile and soft blue eyes made everyone feel loved and welcome. She cared deeply for and connected easily with animals, especially cats and horses. She had a passion and innate talent for gardening. She always found solace in nature, whether it was piddling in the yard, horseback riding, riding bikes with her husband, or simply taking a walk and visiting amongst neighbors.

Her faith played an integral role in her life. Jackie attended Holy Comforter Catholic Church in Charlottesville with her family as a child. She later served and was a valued member of the St. Andrew’s Catholic Church community while living in Roanoke.

She proudly earned her certification as a pharmacy technician in her fifties. In addition to the knowledge and insight she brought to her job, she had a gift of engaging with each customer on a personal level.

Her greatest joys were to become a wife, mother, and later a grandmother. Spending time with family and friends was her happy place.

“My prayer for our family is to always remain close and to be there for each other in time of need.”

-Jacqueline Marie Cheape Kennedy

The family wishes to express special appreciation to the nursing, therapy, and caregiver staff at Trellis Supportive Care in Winston Salem, North Carolina.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to Trellis Supportive Care (www.trellissupport.org) or the Alzheimer's Association (www.alz.org).

Family and friends are invited to attend a visitation from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Tuesday, November 15, 2022 at Hill and Wood Funeral Service, Charlottesville Chapel. 

A Mass of the Resurrection will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 16, 2022 at Holy Comforter Catholic Church with Father Joseph Mary Lukyamuzi officiating. Interment will follow at Riverview Cemetery. 

Submitted by Sam Clarke.