Obituary of Jacqueline Mary Vail

Jacqueline M. Vail, 90, passed away at her home in Tucson, Arizona, on February 1, 2020. Jacque was born on September 20, 1929 in Joliet, Illinois, to Raymond and Bernice Lowery Fenton. She married William L. Vail at Holy Trinity Church in Bloomington, IL on June 16, 1951. He preceded her in death in 2014. Surviving are her children: Catherine McIntosh of Tucson, AZ, William R. (Debbie Ramirez) Vail of Tucson, AZ, Mary (Geoff) Grube, Allen, TX, John (Jennifer) Vail, Austin, TX., Patricia (Peter) Merna, Brimfield, IL., and Elizabeth (Jeff) Brown, Sugar Land, TX and her 16 grandchildren; Peter, Meaghan, Laura and Emily McIntosh, Jamie and Will Vail, Daniel and Michael Grube, Catherine (Tommy) McGuire, Judson and Jonathan Vail, Anne (Colin) Reints, Kate and Daniel Merna, Molly and Jake Brown. And two great-granddaughters; Molly and Madeline McGuire. She is also survived by her sister Mary Lu (Bob) Scott and brother Ray (Donna) Fenton. Her brother Richard Lowery preceded her in death. Jacque's family moved to Bloomington when she was a teenager and she graduated from Holy Trinity High School. She received her Bachelor's and Master's Degrees in Home Economics from Illinois State University. She began her career as a teacher with the Armington Public School System, and later became Director of Food Service at Wesley Methodist Church in Bloomington. She served as Director of Food Service for Bloomington Public Schools (District 87) from 1969 until her retirement in1984. Jacque was actively involved in her community, church, and professional organizations throughout her life. She was a charter member of the Holy Trinity Board of Education. She and Bill loved to travel and visited all 50 states during their 63-year marriage. Jacque was proud of her Irish heritage and was thrilled to tour Ireland and visit the hometown of her great grandparents, Dingle, County Kerry, and share a pint and a meal with relatives at O'Flaherty's Pub and Fenton's Restaurant. She never knew a stranger and was interested in everyone she met. Jacque offered a warm welcome to all who came to her home and there was always an extra place at the table. She was an enthusiastic home cook and baker and shared her love through her delicious food and generous hospitality. Her family brought her much joy and she cherished them all. She is deeply loved by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and will be greatly missed by them and all her family and friends. She had a strong faith and maintained a positive outlook even as her memory faded with advancing dementia. Jacque, and her husband Bill, were strong supporters of Catholic education; all their children attended Holy Trinity Elementary School and Central Catholic High School. Memorial donations may be made to: Central Catholic High School, Office of Advancement, 1201 Airport Rd, Bloomington, IL 61704 - blmcchs.org, or a charity of donor's choice. There will be a Celebration of Life in Bloomington at a future date. Please share your memories and condolences at adairfuneralhomes.com