Jackie Schimmel

Jackie Ames Schimmel April 2, 1946 - September 15, 2017 Jackie was born on April 2, 1946 in Oakdale California, to John Saunders and Dorothy McKasson Ames. Her family moved to Chico in 1950 and into their family home on the fourteen hundred block of Broadway in 1952. Jackie remembered a childhood filled with a love for school and learning and an enthusiastic enjoyment of outdoor play, once the school bell rang and she and her neighborhood friends were free for the afternoon. She was a voracious reader and made many book runs to the Carnegie library (now the Chico Museum) on her roller skates or bicycle. Mobility served her well when walking to Chico Junior and Senior High schools, no matter what the weather. She met her future husband, Raymond Lee Schimmel, at the age of thirteen, when babysitting for his sister. Ray and Jackie started dating three years later and continued as a couple until they married on July 3, 1965 and were still a very happily married couple July 3, 2017. Jackie and Ray raised their family in Durham where her claim to fame as a PTS was introducing Grandparents Day to the elementary school, where it has been continuously celebrated for 41 years. Jackie would describe herself as a professional volunteer, which was true, however she did serve as the Durham Unified School District secretary for five years and subsequently went on to manage her husband's insurance office for many years. Jackie took not only an active, but leadership role in any organization she joined. Even as a young mother she managed to find the time and energy to serve as president of Chico Junior Woman's Club and Durham P.T.S. And years later she served as president of both the Reno and then Chico Newcomers, and captain of the Canyon Oaks Country Clubs women's golf club. Even though she developed a killer golf swing, delved into the duplicate bridge world and created beautiful quilts she did not allow these, and other outside interests, to get in the way of spending time with her family. For many years' family water and snow skiing trips were routine, along with various camping and all kinds of hiking excursions. She was, quite simply, an inspiration to her friends and family. Jackie was predeceased by her parents John Saunders and Dorothy McKasson Ames and her brother Lawrence Ames. She is survived by her husband of fifty-two years Raymond Lee Schimmel as well as her three children. Sons' Matthew R. (Stacy), and David L. (Martha) and daughter Esther V. (Mark) Moineau as well as grandchildren Dylan J., Haylee C., Abby Jean Schimmel and Amelia R. Moineau. Also surviving are her sister Judith Ames Gray and many nieces and nephews. Jackie and her family would like to thank the following for the incredible care, compassion and understanding they gave Jackie as she lived with and died from ALS: Louise Krone M.D. and her staff, Enloe Hospice, and administrator Vicki Reed and her staff at The Courtyard at Little Chico Creek Assisted Living. In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to go to The Butte Humane Society or The Torres Community Shelter. A Memorial Service is scheduled at the Canyon Oaks Country Club, 999 Yosemite Drive, Chico, CA 95928 on Sunday, September 24, 2017 at 11:00 A.M. The service will be taking place on the second floor in the Special Events room, there will be elevator accessibility. There will be a buffet lunch following services. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.brusiefh.com.