Jackie Navokovich

Jacquelyn Ann "Jackie" Novakovich, 85, passed away Fri., Aug. 16, 2024, surrounded by her husband and family at Hot Springs Health after a short illness following two years of declining memory due to dementia. Through the past few years, Jackie never forgot Ted, the love of her life.

Jackie was born in Peoria, Ill., on December 19, 1938, to Richard and Annette Broderic. She was the devoted older sister to Richard and David. Jackie took dance lessons for many years as a young girl, and her love for dancing followed her through the years. From an early age she worked as a candy striper at St. Francis Hospital in Peoria. Jackie married young and had four children, Laura Jean Scovil (died of breast cancer in 2011), Kathleen Ann Scovil (Colorado Springs), Ronald B. Scovil, II (Hilo, Hawaii), and Nancy Dean Scovil (Foster, R. I.). The family moved across the river to Pekin in 1965. Jackie worked her way through nursing school as a single mother and graduated from the Pekin Practical Nursing Program in 1969.

Once she became an LPN, the world opened up for Jackie and her kids. She started her nursing career at St. Francis Hospital in Peoria, and soon ventured to the West Coast. Jackie worked in Southern California for about a year before she and her children joined her father and brother on the island of Oahu in 1971. Jackie continued working as a nurse when she moved back to California with her two youngest children. But it wasn't long before she was itching for a new adventure. In 1979 an ad for nurses brought her to the hospital in Thermopolis, Wyo. She also worked at Canyon Hills Manor.

It was in Thermopolis that Jackie met the love of her life in 1979 when she was out dancing with friends. Jackie finally found the family and community she longed for. She was welcomed into the Novakovich family by Ted, Sr., Stella, and Ted's brothers and their families. Ted and Jackie were married in Cody on January 4, 1983, and they doubled their family. Tiffaney Weaver (Ed), Theodore "Tush" Novakovich, III (Tami), Tina Novakovich, and Misty Kemmit (Lee). Jackie and Ted now have 14 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren with one more on the way.

Jackie joined Ted long-haul trucking and drove a semi for a couple years. They moved to Southern California in 1984. Jackie worked in various hospitals and other settings through the nursing registry. They returned to Thermopolis in 1993 to be closer to Ted's parents. Jackie moved her mother to Thermopolis and eventually her brother Richie. Always the caregiver, Jackie loved having her three parents all in one place. Ted and Jackie purchased Grandview Trailer Park in 1993 and ran that until they moved out to Skelton Road in 1997. She worked as a massage therapist for a while as well as Big Horn Enterprises. Jackie then went to work at Vicklund Pharmacy for her long-time friend Carol. Jackie loved delivering medications and checking in on the different customers she would see. Jackie was very involved in the town, and she loved everyone she met. Because of her laugh, you knew when she was in the room, the pool, the golf course, the park, and even belly dancing in the local parade. Jackie lived life to the fullest. That caregiver heart carried over to volunteering for the various local meal delivery programs in Thermopolis. She also volunteered at the Hot Springs County Senior Citizens Center and the hospital auxiliary. Jackie continued to volunteer as long as she could.

Jackie had a way of bringing fun into every moment, and she loved any adventure with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She was able to make the most of life because of the love, acceptance, and community she found with Ted. Over the last few years, her husband became her caregiver. Ted learned from the best.

Jackie did not want to leave Ted. But Jackie's Savior called her home to be with the daughter she missed so deeply. In that moment she joined Laura, her parents, and her brothers in a glorious reunion dance.

Memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 31 at Mortimore Funeral Home, followed by a celebration of a life well lived at The Broadway Bakery. Memorials can be made to the HSC Senior Center, PO Box 747 Thermopolis, WY 82443.