In Memory of Jacqueline & Supporting her Children

In Loving Memory of Jacqueline Zavala & Supporting her Children

On Friday, October 28th, 2022, at the young age of 34, our sweet Jacqueline passed on to be with her Lord. Jacqueline took on many roles that she loved and cherished; one of the greatest roles was being an amazing mother to her two young children, Jayleen (16 years old) and Jason (7 years old ). Jacqueline lived her life courageously and joyously in spite of the heartbreak and chronic pain she experienced living with Synovial Sarcoma. She met strangers and friends with kindness, and her beautiful personality shined brightly in everything she did, especially when she was with Jayleen and Jason.

Jacqueline put forth all her energy in making a happy life for them and guiding them with love and strength. Jacqueline also felt such heartbreak knowing her illness was terminal and that she would miss her children growing up and seeing the many milestones they had yet to achieve. Jacqueline would feel so comforted in knowing that after she had passed, her children were loved and supported.

As Jacqueline's children begin to navigate their lives without their beautiful mother, we can help alleviate extra stress and difficulties by supporting them and their dear grandmother “Omi” as she loves and cares for them now more than ever. Please consider donating to help with medical, housing, and living expenses. We hope that with enough donations, Jacqueline’s children can be supported throughout the holidays (which Jacqueline loved so much!) and with future pursuits such as educational opportunities, travel expenses, extracurricular activities, and even college tuition. All donations will go directly to Jacqueline’s beloved children.

Jacqueline would be so thankful that her memory and legacy is being carried on through supporting her children. Below we have included a profile of the inspiring life led by Jacqueline Zavala. She was loved by all who knew her. Please consider donating.

The Life and Legacy of Jacqueline Zavala

Jacqueline Zavala was raised in a loving household with her three siblings, Monique, Angelo, and Chantalle. Her parents, Jose “Joe” and Marion met and fell in love while Jacqueline’s father served in the army and was stationed abroad in Germany. The Zavala family moved to various places , but would eventually settle in the countryside of Hector, NY where Jacqueline and her siblings attended Watkins Glen Central School.

Jacqueline grew up in a proud mixed Puerto Rican and German household where she embraced her family’s roots and traditions. She honored her heritage and identity especially through her love of cooking and perfecting her abuela’s famous rice and beans dish as well as other family recipes.

Jacqueline exemplified love and perseverance early in her life when she graduated from high school while also becoming a proud mother to her beautiful baby girl, Jayleen. As a single mom, she worked hard to provide for her daughter, and with determination she pursued a career in the medical field. For 13 years, she was a dedicated Imaging Mammography Assistant at Cayuga Medical. While working full time, and raising her family, Jacqueline furthered her career ambitions by enrolling in an intensive program in NYC and studying to become an esthetician. During this time, Jacqueline made lifelong connections and friendships with many of her coworkers. In 2015, Jacqueline would experience another life blessing when she welcomed her son, Jason, making her daughter, Jayleen, a proud, older sister.

After completing her esthetician program , she was offered a new position created specifically for her at Cayuga Medical. The position would combine her past medical experience in Mammography and expertise as an esthetician. Unfortunately, Jacqueline would not be able to fulfill that role.

In June of 2019, Jacqueline’s life plans were derailed when she began having worrisome concerns for her health. After having recurring symptoms, she went to her local emergency room where it was found that she had a mass in her lung that was hemorrhaging and needed to be operated on as soon as possible. She was transferred to a larger hospital where she went through an extremely invasive surgery to remove the mass. That day, she almost lost her life due to surgical complications. It wasn’t long after surgery that Jacqueline received the devastating phone call that she had Synovial Sarcoma, a very rare form of cancer. Due to her diagnosis her career was put on hold, and she was unable to work. She was advised to seek a higher level of care and meet with doctors who had more experience with her cancer. This led Jacqueline back to NYC.

Jacqueline was extremely selfless, full of love and light, and continued to shine so brightly even through her darkest days. Jacqueline went through 3 invasive and complicated surgeries which included two thirds of her lung and some tissue around her heart being removed. Her third procedure was a cardiac bypass surgery where doctors worked to remove all cancerous growths in her chest. After learning that the bypass was successful, it wasn’t long before she found out that her cancer had aggressively returned. At that point, doctors told Jacqueline that they could not operate.

Jacqueline went through countless rounds of harsh chemotherapy and radiation since her diagnosis. She learned that there was no chemo targeting her cancer specifically, yet she was willing to try anything that may help slow her cancer down. Last year, Jacqueline took part in a clinical trial in NYC where she spent most of her weeks away from her children and family while she received treatment. She later learned that the trial was not working and that her cancer had progressed. The trial had been stopped. In addition to her surgeries and treatments, Jacqueline spent much of the last 3 years away from her children, family, and friends with her multiple hospital visits and stays. She spent much of her time feeling exhausted, low-energy, and not herself.

In the most recent weeks leading up to Jacqueline’s passing , she discussed her treatment options with her doctors and learned that treatments were very limited with little to no chance of success. Jacqueline faced her reality and made the painful decision to stop all treatments instead of feeling depleted from chemo. Jacqueline wanted to find her beautiful energy again and spend much needed time with her children, family, and friends.

Jacqueline devoted her energy and prioritized her remaining time with her children. She watched her daughter Jayleen pursue her passion in cosmetology, cheerlead at football games, and took the passenger seat as Jayleen practiced driving. Her son, Jason practiced his new love for Kung Fu with Jacqueline never leaving his side. At the skatepark, her heart was warmed watching him learn new tricks. Together the family often cooked delicious meals and spent time at her favorite spot, Myers Park, making memories that would last a lifetime.

To say that Jacqueline was a fighter is an understatement. Despite her quickly declining health, she always kept her faith and maintained a positive outlook. Jacqueline’s faith was always the center of her life. She continually said to all “ God is so good no matter what” and trusted God’s plan for her life. That was the language of her heart, which enabled her to love others as she was loved and known by God. Cancer could not separate her from the love of God and her joy of living. Christ made all the difference and she grew closer to him through all that she suffered. She knew and lived with hope and assurance, and that she wanted others to know how good God was. She lived eternity on earth.

Jacqueline will be remembered for her beautiful smile, warm embrace, and hopeful words. She was generous with her heart and comforted others even when she was enduring such difficulties. She will always be loved, always remembered, and always in our hearts. This Gofundme is an opportunity to honor and celebrate Jacqueline’s life and legacy, and to give the gift of safety and security to Jayleen and Jason.