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Miss Vera Jacquelyn "Jackie" Sierra
After having fought and won many battles with cancer, Jackie Sierra finally lost the war and passed away in Bradenton, Florida on August 16, 2004 at the age of 70 years.
A retired teacher and Dean of Girls from Palmetto High School, Jackie lived on Anna Maria Island, which was a dream of hers from youth. She indulged in her longtime passion for photography and was fortunate enough to live out the dream to become a Charter Boat Captain, who was able to catch more than her share of grouper, offering guided fishing excursions out of Holmes Beach. Nothing pleased her more than sharing her knowledge of the local waters, teaching others how to fish, operate their boat and enjoy the water. She loved sharing her passion for fishing with her loving nieces and nephews, as well as her great-nieces and nephews. Jackie always seemed to draw strength from the Gulf of Mexico and Tampa Bay. Obviously, it was time for God to add one more Captain to his fleet.
Miss Sierra was born in Tampa, Florida and earned her B.S. degree from Florida Southern College in Lakeland, Florida. During her tenure at Palmetto High, Jackie worked closely with thousands of students, often spanning multiple generations. She had a reputation for fairness and caring and as a result, she was highly respected by her peers, students and friends. Her life's mantra was to live each day to the fullest, with love and respect for others.
Jackie is survived by her companion; and three sisters, Mary Menendez and Lethia Hall, of Holmes Beach, and Gayle Miller, of Houston, Texas; as well as many close friends and neighbors on Anna Maria Island.
Father Philip Joly, of Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church, 2850 75th Street West, will celebrate the Mass of Christian Burial in Jackie's honor on Saturday, August 21, 2004 at 10 a.m. All who knew and loved Jackie are invited to attend. Burial will be at sea. Arrangements by Brown & Sons Funeral Homes, 43rd Street Chapel, Bradenton. In lieu of flowers, Jackie requested that remembrances be sent to the Bradenton Hospice House, c/o Hospice of Southwest Florida, 5955 Rand Boulevard, Sarasota, Fla. 34238.
Jackie, we will all miss you and look forward to seeing you in heaven.
