Jacquelyn L. Nowak

Jacquelyn Louise (Snyder) Nowak, 86, formerly of Mechanicsburg, passed away on Saturday, October 21, 2023 at Bon Secours Hospice House, Bon Air, VA. She was the daughter of the late Jack and Louise (Clark) Snyder, born on September 2, 1937 in Harrisburg.

Jackie was a graduate of Montoursville High School, going on to earn a bachelor's degree from Lycoming College, Williamsport. She would work in many capacities throughout her career, mostly centering around the promotion and wellbeing of Pennsylvania’s aging community. She held the position of director at the West Shore Senior Citizens Center from 1969-1972 before becoming Executive Director with the Cumberland County Office of Aging. After 8 years, she moved on to the PA Department of Aging Bureau of Advocacy, where she was Director until 1988. In between (and following), she was an editorial writer for the Patriot News, Harrisburg, a Special Projects Coordinator for the PA Division of the American Trauma Society, Administrator at Country Meadows of West Shore, and then worked for herself as a private consultant, realtor, and partner at both D and J Productions and Ted E. Bear’s Emporium, Harrisburg. Jackie spearheaded many initiatives and won numerous awards during her time with the Office of Aging and Bureau of Advocacy.

She was a longtime member of Market Square Presbyterian Church, Harrisburg, and she was a gifted artist in various mediums – ultimately finding her niche in painting and decorating wooden and tin objects. She shared a love for teddy bears with her daughter, Dede, and the two partnered at the Ted E. Bear Emporium which featured a gallery of teddy bear artwork, along with an area dedicated to creating your own personalized stuffed bear. She and her daughter would travel all over to teddy bear and art conventions in the region.

She was sociable and enjoyed her craftiness, constantly putting herself in a position to be around others. And though her career was dedicated to helping others, the other side of her life dealt with self-expression and being with her family. Her final years were spent outside Richmond, VA, where she could be close to her son and his wife and children. Becoming a grandmother and great-grandmother were pinnacles in her life, and being involved in her children’s lives was what kept her going. She will be greatly missed.

Surviving Jackie are her children, Drew Nowak (Betty) of Powhatan, VA and Dede Nowak of New Cumberland; grandchildren, Christine Vrescak (Christian) of Moseley, VA and Brad Nowak (Brittany) of Manassas, VA; great-grandchildren, Madison and Declan; and a cousin who was more like a sister, Sandy Snyder.

A funeral service will be held at 1PM on Saturday, October 28, 2023 at Parthemore Funeral Home & Cremation Services, New Cumberland. A public viewing will be held from 12PM until services begin in the funeral home. Interment will immediately follow in Woodlawn Cemetery, Harrisburg.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution in Jackie’s name to either: The Art Center School & Galleries, 18 Artcraft Drive, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050 or Bon Secours Community Hospice House, 1133 Old Bon Air Road, Richmond, VA 23235.