Jacoy (Jackie) Whitesides Sawyer
We joyfully celebrate the life of Jacoy (Jackie) Whitesides Sawyer, a remarkable soul whose journey on this earth came to a peaceful close on March 6, 2024, in Salt Lake City, Utah. Born on July 19, 1934 to Effie Simpson Whitesides and Heber John (Jack) Whitesides, Jackie's zest for life and her love for all that sparkled propelled her on adventures across the globe, embracing the world's beauty with the same intensity that she carried in her heart.
Jackie's life was rich with love, laughter, and an unwavering spirit of generosity. As an accomplished tennis player and golfer in her prime, she navigated life's challenges and joys with grace and resilience. Jackie's heart was as vast as the journeys she embarked upon, always ready to extend support to everyone she encountered.
Her beloved husband, Robert (Bob) Sawyer, whom she dearly missed, predeceased Jackie in 1979. Yet, her capacity for love never diminished, as evidenced by her sincere connections with her family and her cherished dogs, Emma Elizabeth and the late Abbi.
Jackie's rich legacy of love and boundless adventure lives on through her loving children, Thom Sawyer and Victoria Tolman; cherished grandchildren, Melisa Griffith and Rachel Foster; great-grandchildren, Macklen, Bruher, and Finley; esteemed sisters, Sherry Olsen and Liz Bagley; the memory of her brother, John Michael Whitesides; nieces and nephews, Kristen Morely, Hannah Bagley, Heather and JJ Whitesides, Bob and Jack Olsen; her in-laws, Mike Shuping, Mark Tolman, Ben Steward, Rick Bagley, and the memory of Robert (Bob) Olsen; along with a constellation of friends and loved ones who saw in her an endless source of inspiration.
In keeping with Jackie's lifelong compassion for animals, the family suggests that donations be made in her memory to the Humane Society of Utah. This gesture celebrates Jackie's enduring love for all living beings, especially dogs, and her wish to contribute positively to their welfare.
Jackie will be laid to rest in the Kaysville Cemetery next to her late husband. We invite everyone who cherished Jackie to honor her by embracing the joys of relationships and life as fervently as she did. Let us reflect on the laughter, the adventures, and the profound connections Jackie gifted us, ensuring her extraordinary spirit continues to inspire and guide us.
Jackie's journey was a radiant celebration, marked not just by the glitter and gold she cherished but by the fiery spirit that made her a truly unforgettable force. Her legacy is a vivid reminder to all of us to seek the sparkle in every moment, to embrace life's zest, and to live with the brightness and spicy vitality that she shared so generously.