Jacqueline (Jackie) Louise Howell passed away Thursday February 17, 2022 at St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis. She was surrounded by her four kids Jennifer, Steve, Brad and Loryn and her husband of 40 years, John.

She was preceded in death by her father Floyd Harold Denning, and her mother Margaret Ruth Denning (Puckett).

She is survived by her husband John, four children Jennifer, Steve, Brad, Loryn and their spouses Mike Tinder, Rohini Howell, Carly Howell, and William Blunt; her five grandchildren; her brother Otis Denning (Jean), sisters Libby Mote, Peggy Needham, and Mary Larrison.

She was born December 11, 1960 at St. Francis Hospital in the Indianapolis suburb of Beech Grove, Indiana.

Jackie was known for her deep love of family. She was a wife, mother, grandmother and sister. More than that she was a fierce protector, friend, and someone who believed in you. She called her family to bring the best parts of themselves to the world.

She was a healthcare professional for 38 years starting her career in 1983 at University Heights Hospital (now Community Hospital South) as an X-Ray Technician. She then became an Ultrasound Technician, joining Wishard Memorial Hospital in 1988, then Methodist Hospital in 1989, and Indiana University Hospital in 2001. In 2010 she became Program Director of Diagnostic Medical Sonography at Sanford Brown College. From 2005 through 2021 she operated her own ultrasound business serving hospitals and healthcare centers in Indianapolis.

Her professional life was dedicated to serving people. From families welcoming a child into the world, to helping others manage difficult diagnoses. Every patient was a human being with significant value to her. She took great care to treat everyone with respect and love. It was her way of having an impact in these short moments.

Jackie was deeply curious. This led her to researching her family line. At 16 years old, she took a trip to Tennessee to trace back her family origin. She met with family members, found official records, and even went cemetery by cemetery to confirm the names of every person who lived and died before her time. Knowing where she came from was important to her because she knew it would help shape where she wanted to go.

Jackie's legacy will live on in her children who she loved and raised with her husband, John. She instilled in them a hunger for growth, an unyielding work ethic and a deep affection for their family. Her goal was to allow her kids the opportunity to experience life even more fully than she did. From sports, to education and the arts, Jackie prepared her children to be free-thinking people that valued family, friendship and sharing their lives with one another as the family expands. She was a teacher who made sure her kids knew how to compete, deal with losses and learn to win gracefully.

She was a breast cancer survivor who advocated for women and men in difficult circumstances by providing clothing and food to the Wheeler Mission.

She leaves behind her spouse and great love, John, who she met in 7th grade. At 15 years old she prayed that God would let him be her husband. And at 20 years old on August 28, 1981 they were married at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. They grew their family from two to six, and were married for 15,148 days – 40 years building a life together.

To Jackie, celebration meant a great deal. Every birthday, anniversary, graduation, victory and wedding deserved a party. She knew that it mattered to mark the occasion with music, food and friends. Her love language was giving. When she gave to her family it compounded the deep love that lived in her heart which she gave in abundance.

Jackie brought a vibrancy to life that impacted anyone who was a part of it. While our hearts are broken, we're celebrating the life that Jackie lived and invite you to do the same.

Join us in Celebrating her Life with a memorial service on Friday, February 25, 2022 from 3:00 to 7:00 PM at Forest Lawn Funeral Home. Funeral service on Saturday, February 26, 2022 at 11:00 AM with a short visitation before service.


To carry on Jackie's legacy, her husband John will continue to provide food, clothing and advocacy for women and men in shelters in Indianapolis on an annual basis in her name. Please consider joining him in this effort. Details to come.