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Jacqueline J. 'Jacki' Holt, 76

| June 18, 2024 1:00 AM

Jacqueline “Jacki” Joy Hickey Holt lost her battle with Alzheimer’s on June 8, 2024.

She was born Dec. 9, 1947, in Sandpoint, Idaho, to Jack and Lois Hickey. The young family resided in Kootenai and welcomed her brother, Jim, in January 1950. After the second grade, the family moved to the Hickey Road farm where her grandparents had lived. Jacki attended Northside School through the eighth grade and became involved with Job’s Daughters, becoming “Joby” of the year. She then transitioned to the Old Junior High in Sandpoint where her mom was teaching.  

During this time, Jacki met a young man, Jim Holt. She often helped her mother deliver farm fresh eggs and took music lessons. Eventually, she joined the Presbyterian Church choir and enjoyed singing there into her adult life. Through high school, she continued to date Jim and graduated from Sandpoint High in 1966. That fall, she enrolled in the University of Idaho and then transferred to Links Business College, finishing in 1968.

Jacki married Jim on Nov. 30, 1968, while Jim was home on leave from the Navy. They lived in Hawaii, as Jim was stationed at Pearl Harbor until September 1969. They both returned to the University of Idaho and Jacki worked at the AG Extension office while Jim attended classes. In 1970, they moved back to Sandpoint as their first daughter, Pamela, was born Aug. 1 of that year. 

Jacki went to work at Leverton Sage accounting doing most of her work for Ross Rexall drugstore and books. In November 1971, the couple welcomed their first son, Dean, followed by twins Jeff and Mark in May 1974. Then in February 1977, they added their daughter Kristi. 

While Jim ran his own carpet and linoleum business, Jacki managed the workload of caring for four kids. She would make clothes for them, run them to school and sporting events, and continued to sing in the choir. Jacki enjoyed crocheting, sewing, gardening, baking, and reading. Many friends and family will never forget her beautiful crocheted blankets she could whip up in no time for “new ones” on the way, or ones that had already arrived.

Later in life, as the kids grew up, she worked for Jim’s brother at Lightning Lube doing the books and helping with the family farm. She perfected an unmatched cinnamon roll recipe and meticulously cared for over 50 wonderful rose bushes around the house. Her infectious laugh, kind heart, and uncanny storytelling ability filled the house with laughter, love, and fun.

Jacki is survived by her husband, James ”Jim” Holt; brother James ”Jim” Hickey; sons Dean Holt (Karrie), Jeff Holt, and Mark Holt;  daughter Kristi Armstrong (Brian); four grandchildren, Cameron and Evan Holt, Reese and Macy Armstrong; along with Jim’s brothers and sisters-in-law, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Howard ”Jack” and Lois Hickey, and daughter Pamela Holt.

The family would like to thank all the Hospice volunteers, neighbors Mark and Marion Johnson, and all who helped care for Jacki and Jim during her lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

A short graveside services will be held at Pinecrest Cemetery on Wednesday, June 19, at 11 a.m. All are welcome.

Family and friends are invited to sign Jacki’s online guest book at coffeltfuneral.com.

Arrangements are under the care of Coffelt Funeral Service.