Jacqueline Joan Fredkin Arst passed away on Nov. 30 at age 91.
Jacqueline's American family history began when her grandparents immigrated to the United States from Eastern Europe in the early 1900s. She was born in Kansas City, Missouri, on Jan. 27, 1933, to her loving and devoted parents, Henry Fredkin and Bertha Gladstone, four years after the birth of her older sister, Rae.
Her earliest years were spent in Sedalia, Missouri, until her family moved to St. Louis, Missouri, where her fondest childhood memories were made. It was during her teenage years that she was introduced to her future husband, Herbert E. Arst of St. Joseph, Missouri, who was attending Washington University at the time. She graduated from Clayton High School in 1951 and then pursued higher education, also at Washington University, with a bachelor's degree in education. Jacqueline and Herb married on March 20, 1955 in St. Louis. Their marriage lasted 47 years until Herb’s passing in 2002.
She welcomed her first child, Henry, in 1957, naming him after her beloved father who tragically passed away during her pregnancy. She welcomed her only daughter, Sally, shortly thereafter in 1958, and then, to their surprise, a third child, Daniel, in 1969. During these years, while living in Kansas City, Missouri, Herb was in private practice in internal medicine.
Jackie enjoyed traveling with her family around the country in Herb's Mooney aircraft. She also enjoyed homemaking and socializing with her dearest friends, of which she had many. Later in life, she utilized her education degree, becoming a substitute teacher in the North Kansas City School District. She also became interested in and loved creating artwork, and she took classes at the Jewish Community Center where she became friends with her teacher and classmates. She became a grandmother in 1985 when her daughter, Sally, gave birth to her son, Lee. In 1988, her son Henry became a father to Nicholas, followed by Hannah, in 1992.
Jacqueline was loved by many, as she was incredibly selfless, thoughtful and supportive. She had a great sense of humor and outlook on life. She was extremely close with her sister, Rae, who preceded her in death in June of 2022. She was also a wonderful aunt to Rae's daughter and son, Susan and John, whom she loved like her own children. She leaves behind not only her children, grandchildren, niece and nephew, but also the children of her late cousin Nancy Weneck. In addition, she leaves behind her brother-in-law Roger and her sisters-in-law Renee and Gay Arst, all of California, and their children. She also remained very close to her cousin Sara Cleveland.
Jackie felt overwhelming affection for her family and friends and made sure to thank them for their loving care during her long illness. She passed away on Nov. 30 at the Kansas City Hospice House with her sons Henry and Dan by her side. Jackie wanted to express her deep gratitude for the wonderful care she received at the University of Kansas Cancer Center and Kansas City Hospice. In particular, she wanted to recognize the wonderful nurses and other personnel, who adored her very much. Our mother, grandmother, aunt and friend will be missed beyond measure, but we take comfort in knowing she has been reunited with her loving parents, husband and sister. She will be forever loved and remembered.
The family requests that instead of flowers, all memorial donations be made to Kansas City Hospice Foundation (9001 State Line Road, Suite 300, Kansas City, MO 64114, or kchospice.org/donate).
