Jacqueline A. Theobald

Jacqueline (Jacqui) A. Theobald died December 12, 2018.

She was a writer who loved words, an artist who loved color.

Jacqui graduated from the University of Iowa with degrees in Art and Journalism. There she met and married Jerry B. Theobald. He was neat, she was creative, but neither of them knew how to wrap a package. He loved numbers and she loved words, which made their sixty-one year marriage successful.

Her first job was as an assistant editor of an inhouse magazine. She worked as a copywriter before beginning her family. Jacqui was instrumental in the establishment of the first public kindergarten in Sarasota County, Florida. When NCR made the call, they moved their young family to Dayton, Ohio in the middle of winter without a single coat among them.

She taught art at the Kettering Rec Center and painted portraits in an attic studio. Jacqui taught art to the developmentally disabled at Southview School. Subsequently she earned a Master’s degree in Art Therapy at Wright State University and entered a private psychology practice as a Registered Art Therapist and Licensed Professional Counselor.

Rather than pursue a Ph.D., she chose to write and illustrate a series of books detailing grandparent time with each grandchild, starting “On the Day You Were Born” and continuing through their first six years – total of forty-two books.

She loved reading and readers and cherished her time with members of her book club.
Her art spanned from formal portraits to manipulating found objects, writing plays and musicals, and photographs from her unique perspective. She had works displayed at venues throughout the Dayton community.

She was an adjunct faculty member at Sinclair Community College, where she taught about art therapy in the Mental Health Technology Program. She enjoyed sharing her passion for art and theater by leading classes at the University of Dayton’s Lifelong Learning Institute.
She was one of the first community commentators for the Dayton Daily News. In 2013, she became a theater critic for the Dayton City Paper (d. September, 2018).

She was born September 8, 1935 in Chattanooga, TN to Jacob M. and Sophia C. Kay Goff Alper.

She is survived by her husband of sixty-one years, Jerry B. Theobald; four much appreciated children: Mark, Chuck (Rebecca), John (Dawn Tindall), Elizabeth Horner (Kurt); and six kind, opinionated grandchildren: Samantha Dwyer (Bryan); Sarah, Andrew, Margaret Theobald; and Grace and Sophia Horner.

Among Jacqui’s final requests was that you wear your most colorful outfit to her service.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Foodbank, 56 Armor Place, Dayton, OH 45417 or any arts organization of your choice.

The family would like to thank the kind and gentle staff at Hospice of Dayton, care givers from Home Instead (especially Tiffany, Stacey, Ja’Cole, and Angie) and our family of care givers: Susan, Morgan, Ellen, Devon, and Jennie.

Visitation will be held Monday, December 17th, from 6 pm to 8 pm. Memorial service will take place on Tuesday, December 18th, at 1 pm both, at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 33 West Dixon Avenue, Dayton, OH 45419.

Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.routsong.com.