Jacqualine Ann Arnason (Krause)

Beloved Mom and Ahma. Big sister, auntie, dear friend and role model to so many. Addiction recovery warrior. Children’s author. Jackie was all this and so much more and we will dearly miss her quick wit, intelligence and loving heart.

All through her life, Jackie epitomized reinvention and tenacity. Born in the dustbowl of Saskatchewan in 1933, daughter of Arni and Isobel (MacDonald), she was a bright spark with a big imagination and love for reading that started as a toddler. Jackie often said that books and libraries were her sanctuary when life’s troubles overwhelmed. For the last 20 years, she was thrilled to live just across the street from the main branch of the RPL and was a ‘frequent flyer’.

Writing stories and poetry was an enduring passion and she amassed an incredible number that kept her daughters and grandchildren and all their childhood friends entertained and constantly asking for more. Her birthday, anniversary and special occasion poems were legendary! She was a member of the Wascana Writers Guild and enjoyed the camaraderie of her writing colleagues.

At age 87, Jackie fulfilled her lifelong dream and became a published children’s author, sharing the first of her treasure trove of delightful and inspiring stories beyond just our little family. We could not be more proud of her for bringing Hambone, a determined little piglet who dreamed of pickles, to life. She was delighted to have just completed the sign off on her second book which will be published later this year.

As much as storytelling was a passion, Jackie was also passionately committed to her recovery from alcohol and drug addiction. Throughout the last 30+ years, she lived the Program and mentored, sponsored and supported countless numbers of women and men who needed both a soft shoulder and firm voice of reason as they walked their journey ‘one day at a time’. We’re immensely proud of her contribution as part of this community and grateful for all her friends in recovery who showed up for her through the years as she did for them.  

A remarkable woman who lived an ordinary yet so extraordinary life, our hearts are broken to lose her to an aggressive illness that was only recently diagnosed. But we are so thankful to have had her with us for 88 years, living independently as she desired, and showing us that life can and should be savoured no matter what.

Jackie is loved and will be remembered always by her daughters Trish Krause (Nancy Evans) of Kingston, ON and Barb Krause-Snow (Martin Snow) of Regina, as well as her cherished grandchildren Emma and Andrew who meant the world to her. They were, without doubt, the lights of her life. She is also remembered by two surviving sisters Janet Sinkoski and Moneca Genoway, numerous nieces, nephews, a loving extended group from the Snow and Birch families, and wonderful friends the world over.

As Jackie wished, there will be no funeral. A celebration of life may take place when we may gather more freely and share stories. As a note, Jackie would expect all stories to be creative and well written, so best put on your thinking caps now!

In lieu of flowers, if you are so moved, please donate to your local library, a literacy organization or a children’s reading circle so that others may find the joy in books that sustained her.