God called up another angel. Jacqueline “Jacki” Matchett Loy found her peace on Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023, after an extended stay at Wellbrooke of Crawfordsville.
Jacki was born April 21, 1950, at Portland, Indiana, daughter to the late James Matchett and Ruth (Gene) Bickel Duke. She attended Noble Elementary and Portland High School; however, was a graduate of Warsaw High School in 1968. On Oct. 13, 1973, at Portland, Jacki married Steven A. Loy of Bryant, Indiana. Steve was a recent graduate of Purdue University and together they turned the next page in life’s adventures, calling Crawfordsville their home for the next 50 years. In 1981, they were blessed with a daughter, Tiffany, who went on to graduate from North Montgomery High School and Indiana University.
Usually wearing a smile, Jacki was a spunky and snarky individual. Her motto, “laughter maketh the best medicine,” set the tone for the way she lived her life. Calamities, usually with a friend, were the norm. Chuckling, “just call us Lucy and Ethyl” was her response. As a homemaker, Jacki enjoyed keeping busy. Her daughter was always top of the list, however, she was obsessed with recipes and enjoyed cooking and baking. For a period, she became interested in quilting and in cross-stitch and for several years, was heavily involved in folk art creations. Later, she became a master of “rubber stamping.” She and a few of her buddies would meet regularly to share and compare ideas, along with a little laughter, for creating all sorts of greeting cards. Each unique and always beautiful! Jacki was a sociable person and thoroughly enjoyed getting friends together and being involved in the community. An organization that was close to her heart included the Country Cousins Home Ec Club. In the 1970s Jeanne Ward assembled a group of young women, several being newcomers to the community with similar backgrounds and interests. Jacki was invited to attend. The bonds that were nurtured from that meeting later developed into a sisterhood of love and support between several of the women that has lasted for 50 years.
In 1990, Jacki found herself in uncharted waters of life’s challenges. She was diagnosed with stage II breast cancer which a year later metastasized to the brain. The prognosis was not encouraging; however, being a fierce fighter, Jacki defied the odds. After successful brain surgery followed by chemotherapy, full head radiation therapy and two bone marrow transplants, Jacki was considered “cancer free.” For the next 20 years, she lived a normal life and was able to be a part of her daughter’s upbringing and to experience the joys of grandchildren. As a cancer survivor, Jacki channeled energies towards cancer research and was a motivated fundraiser. Unfortunately, the regiments that once saved her life also tend to accelerate the aging process of the brain. For Jacki, a passing well too young, but we, her family, are thankful for the blessings.
Jacki is survived by husband Steven Loy, Crawfordsville; daughter Tiffany Loy Vanderhoof and grandchildren, Jack and Cora Vanderhoof, Lafayette; brother Donald (Terri) Matchett, Osprey, Florida; sisters, Debbie (Chris) McCoy, Ridgeville, Indiana, and Libby (Dave) Hirshey, Dunlap, Illinois; several loving and wonderful extended family caregivers in addition to many dear friends; brother-in-law Billy (Ginger) Loy, Calhoun, Georgia; and sisters-in-law, Joyce (Robert) Lyons, Portland, and Linda (Richard) Huey, Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Private graveside services are planned with a celebration of life to be held later in January. Hunt and Sons Funeral Home, Crawfordsville, is handling arrangements.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the Montgomery County Community Foundation at www.mccf-in.org or to Psi Iota Xi, P.O. Box 925, Crawfordsville, IN 47933.
