Jacquelyn (Jackie) Seaman died at her home in Eureka on October 10. Jackie was the oldest child of Buddy Seaman and Yoshiko Miyagi. When she moved to the United States from Okinawa with her father and little brother, Richard, she became the maternal figure in her brother’s life.

Jackie never had her own children, but she always had a mother hen personality, taking a genuine interest and care for everyone who came into her life, whether it was her family, co-workers, customers and their families, or the animals that roamed the property at Recology, where she worked. She especially loved the chickens. She was like a chicken whisperer.

Jackie moved to Humboldt to help Richard open the Fieldbrook Family Market. She was the deli manager, where she enjoyed cooking for her regulars. She prepared the school lunches for Fieldbrook School and loved to see the kids when they would come into the store. She took great enjoyment joking with the regular morning coffee crew and helping them with their crossword puzzles each morning. She doted on the employees, who she thought of like family.

Jackie was an artist, working with pastels, watercolor, acrylic and mostly photography. When her nieces were young, they would tell elaborate stories about swimming and dancing French fries and she would illustrate them, to the kids’ delight. She would take Madi on what they fondly called “bubble gum trips” where they would stop by a gas station and buy a stockpile of bubble gum, then drive around to look for somewhere scenic to take pictures, usually featuring cows and birds.

At North High School in Riverside, Jackie was a popular athlete, lettering in badminton and volleyball. She was also a cheerleader. She started working at Kmart in high school and ended with a job in management by the time she left. She spent the bulk of her career as a letter carrier in Riverside, California, garnering recognition from her department and some enduring friendships.

After she moved to the United States, Jackie continued to stay in contact with her family in Okinawa. As the only one who spoke both languages, she acted as a bridge between her American family and her Okinawan family including her mother, her half-brother, Kazuo and her cousin, Yasushi.

Jackie was preceded in death by her father and mother. She is survived by her brother, Richard; sister-in-law, Susan and nieces Rowan and Madeira, as well as her half-brother, Kazuo.

A memorial/art-show of Jackie’s work is being planned for early 2024. Friends are welcome to come share stories and memories and take a piece she made. Please contact susanseamaneureka@gmail.com if you want to stay informed when more details about the event are available.

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