Jacqueline R. Pechette

Jacqueline (“Jackie”) R. Pechette, 90, of Indianapolis, passed away peacefully Wednesday, October 14, 2020. Jackie was born on March 18, 1930, in Chicago, Illinois, to the late John and Ruth (Caldwell) Fonder. She was preceded in passing by her husband of 67 years, Charles, on August 22, 2018.

She and Charlie met at Syracuse University on a blind date. As Jackie has told the story many times over the years, she went on the date purposely without her cat-eye glasses (a clever strategy to feature her beautiful eyes, but somewhat risky on her part since she could not clearly see her date, though she later confirmed he was “so cute”). They shared the same values, but they were very different personalities: he, the gregarious boisterous athlete; she, the reserved bookish artist. They were both immediately smitten and after a whirlwind courtship, they married, had four sons, and embarked on a loving and successful life together. He was the “mover and shaker,” she was the rock, the inspiration and the drive for 67 years. Now re-united.

Jackie led a full life exemplified by high energy, spirit and compassion. Jackie cared deeply about family. As an only child, she treasured the many visits to the “family” farm in Michigan and enjoyed being surrounded by all of her cousins. She later jumped headlong into the rabble-rousing Pechette family (from New York), fully embracing vacations in the family’s Long Island cottage with all of the in-laws and nephews and nieces. She enjoyed family road trips to National Parks, white water rafting, horseback riding, hiking in the mountains and travels to many parts of the world. For her 68th birthday, she celebrated by jumping out of a perfectly good airplane, making a tandem parachute jump with her son Tom.

Jackie graduated from Syracuse University College of Fine Arts in 1951. She had a lifelong passion for art and was a prolific oil and watercolor artist herself. In addition to raising their four boys, she found time to be an active member of the Indianapolis Art League (now Indianapolis Art Center) including serving as its president in 1970. She also applied her artistic talents to Charlie’s line of work, designing and building their long-time family residence and her mother’s Brown County home. After she and Charlie began spending their winters in Florida, she became active in the Art League of Bonita Springs (now Center for the Arts of Bonita Springs) serving as its president twice in 1995-96 and 2003-04 and as a board member from 1993-96 and again from 2003-04. Over her sixty-year artistic pursuits, she continued to try new forms of art doing clay and metal sculptures and glasswork. She was both student and mentor, encouraging and supporting others to enjoy the journey. She painted family members, scenes from her childhood, and beautiful landscapes and seascapes from her travels. In her own words, she worked “simply to convey to the observer my enjoyment of the subject, the challenge of recreating it in a two-dimensional format, and my deep appreciation of the beauty of God’s creation.”

In 1980, she served as president of the National Association of Home Builders Women’s Auxiliary. At the request of Senator Lugar, she served as the Executive Assistant for the Fund for Hoosier Excellence for five years. She was bestowed the Sagamore of the Wabash Award by Governor Otis Bowen in 1979 and the IUPUI Spirit of Philanthropy Award in 1991.

While she may be remembered by many for her philanthropy, volunteerism and artistic achievements, Jackie’s loved ones will most remember her sharp and creative mind, adventurous spirit, infectious laugh, cheery smile and devotion to her family.

She is survived by her sons, John C. (wife, Celeste) Pechette, Thomas F. (wife, Sarah) Pechette, Michael A. (wife, Jean Marie) Pechette and Charles D. (wife, Jennifer) Pechette; grandchildren, Arielle (husband, Bob) Markley and Jonathan (wife, Linden) Pechette, Joshua Pechette, Alexander (wife, Kathryn) Pechette and Christina (husband, Josh Kurtz) Pechette, Cassie (husband, Chris) Rensing, Sean O’Gara, Charlie A., Thomas and Kyle Pechette; great grandchildren, Will Markley, Graham Pechette and Connor Rensing; and sister-in-law, Edna Murphy. She was also a beloved aunt to many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until 12 noon EST Saturday, October 24, 2020, at Flanner Buchanan – Oaklawn Memorial Gardens (Conner Suite), 9700 Allisonville Road. Immediately following the visitation family and friends will proceed to an outdoor tent for services that will begin at 12:30 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to Young Life Washington Township (giving.younglife.org/Washingtontownship), or The Jacqueline and Charles Pechette Scholarship Fund of the Center for the Arts of Bonita Springs (www.artcenterbonita.org/donate) or the Humane Society of Naples Florida (www.hsnaples.org). Please visit flannerbuchanan.com to sign the online guest register.

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