Eleanor June Gay

Gay, Eleanor June (Jackie)

Jackie Gay, 96, a longtime resident of Tipp City, passed away at StoryPoint Assisted Living on the evening of March 8. At her passing, Jackie was surrounded by her four sons who she loved unconditionally.

Jackie was born to Wiley Luther Hash and Minnie Miller Hash on June 1, 1929, in Whitetop, Virginia and was the youngest of 11 children- 4 boys and 7 girls. The boys had wanted another brother and called her “Jack” her entire childhood. The nickname stuck and Eleanor was known as Jack or Jackie from then on. The name changes even caused her some confusion; when the teacher called Eleanor Hash up to the front of the student body in her small two-room school, her sister had to nudge her and say “that’s you, Jack”, in order to get her attention.

Jackie was a graduated from Marion (Va) High School in 1947 and the Petersburg School of Nursing in 1950 with a bachelor’s degree in nursing. She served as an operating room nurse for several years, before leaving the profession to raise her children. After the kids were grown Jackie returned to the field as a nurse for Drs Sutton and Price in Tipp City. She enjoyed people and the work offered her many opportunities to help others.

Jackie married Ed Gay on April 11, 1953 and the two had many adventures together with their sons and extended family until his death on January 2, 2004. Jackie was predeceased by her 10 brothers and sisters. She is survived by her sons Jim (Patti), Chuck Steel (Carla), John (Cookie), and Rob (Judy). Surviving grandchildren include Joshua Steel, James, and Emily Gay, Justin, (Katelyn) Matt (Madisyn) and Thomas (Allie) Gay and step grandchildren Eric (Pam) and Robbie Thomas. Surviving great grandchildren include Madison Steel, Scarlett, Navy, Amelia, and Riley Gay, Holden Stump and Gemma Thomas. She was also blessed to have two great-great grandchildren: Karlee and Jaxson Steel.

Jackie’s hobbies included tennis with a special group of friends, gardening and spending time with people. Jackie dearly loved her family, her friends and was kind to all. She made the world a better place, one interaction at a time. She will be missed.

Funeral services are scheduled for Saturday, March 14 at Trostel, Chapman, Dunbar & Fraley Funeral Home, 507 Jefferson Street, New Carlisle. Viewing will be held from 10 – 11 Am followed by a funeral service beginning at 11:00 Am. Interment to follow at Maple Hill Cemetery in Tipp City.

In lieu of flowers, friends and family are encouraged to donate to Ohio Hospice of Miami County, (ohiohospice.org) 320 N. Co. Rd. 25 A, Troy Ohio 45373. The family would also like to thank the staff of Story Point Tipp City and Affinity Care of Ohio for their care of Jackie.