JACQUELINE LEA BILLECI

March 18, 1950 – June 7, 2021

It is with sorrow that we announce the passing of our dear Aunt, Jacqueline Lea Billeci. On June V, 2021, Jackie passed away at USC Burn Center in Los Angeles. She was a longtime resident of Big Pine, CA and leaves behind a vast circle of friends, her loving nieces, nephews and cousins.

Jackie was born in Klamath Falls, OR, March 18, 1950 to John and Loretta Henris. She was the only child of her father John and was, “The apple of his eye”. She lived in a child’s wonderland on her family’s Roseburg, OR farm. Her world was shattered by her father’s sudden passing in 1960. Soon after, the farm was sold. For a few years, Jackie and our grandmother lived in the city of Roseburg but relocated in 1965 to Marysville, CA.

What can be said about Jackie? Life was better with her in it. She loved God and was a woman of faith. With her gregarious personality, she enlivened a room with love and laughter. She had a dry wit, the gift of hospitality and loved to entertain! She was never afraid to share her opinion. Jackie made life-long friends wherever life took her. She also loved her fur babies, adopting many from the Animal Shelter.

Jackie loved the community of Big Pine. If there was a need in the community, she did her best to make it happen! She was a wonderful Friend of the Big Pine Library, leading the “Survivor Summer Reading Program” and many book sales and fundraisers for the library, and celebrating the accomplishments of the students. Many may remember her involvement with the Big Pine Haunted Castle and organizing the Adopt-a-Highway Crew.

As a teen, Jackie spent part of her summers in Klamath Falls, OR with our family. Our mother, Marlene, was 1V years older than Jackie and considered her younger sister to be one of her children. She was our aunt in name only, big sister was a better fit. There are the sweet and funny memories of camping, swimming and fishing at the Williamson River and Lake of the Woods in Oregon. There were always mishaps on our camping trips and funny stories that have become family lore. In later years, Jackie would invite nieces and nephews to Camp Aunt Jackie for a few days in the summer, taking them on camping, fishing trips, making memories that they still speak fondly.

Jackie was a 1968 graduate of Marysville Union High School and attended Yuba City College. She worked as an office manager but spent the last 35 years buying and managing rental properties.

In 1968, she married Texas native, Bill Upchurch. They lived in Dallas for a short time before returning to California. They were married for five years. In 1982, she married uincent Billeci. They lived in Yuba City, Manteca and Big Pine Ca, and were married for 38 yrs.

Jackie was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Robert Platt; sister and brother-in-law, Marlene and Chuck Cox; nephew Brian Platt; cousin, Laine uan Hoozen. She is survived by her nieces; Pam Doran, Teresa Bice, Lela Pepper; nephews, Chuck Cox, Robert Platt, Philip Platt; numerous great nephews; other family members, Collette, Jon, and Doug Anderson. Best friends, Monte Williams, Jennifer Krafcheck, Melanie Tash, Donna Ives, and many others. She is also survived by former husbands, Bill Upchurch and uincent Billeci.

A memorial is planned in Big Pine on October 8, 2022 at Mendenhall Park @ 1:00 p.m. Please feel free to bring any special memories or pictures to share! Light refreshments will be served.

Memorial donations in Jackie’s name can be given to Friends of the Big Pine Library, Inyo County Animal Shelter, USC Burn Center, or the charity of your choice.