Jacqueline P. Axe
March 23, 1926 ~ May 12, 2011

Monterey – Jacqueline (Jackie) Patricia Axe died May 12, 2011, succumbing to a long battle with cancer, surrounded by her loving family. Jackie was born March 23, 1926 in Fall River, MA to Frank and Adeline (nee Robinson) Urban. She graduated from Durfee High School in 1944 and then went to business college to study typing, shorthand, and bookkeeping. While in college, Jackie modeled for Bohemian Beer and was “Miss Boh.” She also modeled women’s clothing in Fall River. After college, she worked at Bradford-Durfee Technical Institute, now known as Southeastern Massachusetts University.

In May of 1951, Jackie met John Roger Axe, who was attending the Naval Justice School in Newport, RI. They were married in Fall River on September 10, 1952. Jackie was a devoted Navy wife and mother, following her husband to his many assignments including California, Japan, Guam and Washington, D.C. After John’s Navy career, they lived in Michigan and Texas before returning to California. While living in Ann Arbor, MI, Jackie worked for Matthew-Phillips Construction. She had a passion for interior design and architecture and went back to school to study Interior Design at the University of Texas at Arlington. Jackie was an accomplished designer and spent most of her professional career designing model home interiors. She was a longtime member of the American Society of Interior Designers and a registered Interior Designer in the State of Texas since 1993.

When they returned to Monterey in 1993, Jackie and John built her dream home. A devoted Catholic, she attended San Carlos Cathedral. Jackie loved travel and art. She traveled all over the world including most of Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Kenya, South Africa, China, Tibet, Cambodia, Thailand, India, Mexico, Peru, Ecuador, the Galapagos Islands and the former Soviet Union. Whatever country she was in, Jackie visited every art museum and church she could. Wherever she traveled, she focused on that country’s cultural and historical significance and she collected dolls typical of the native dress of the countries she visited. Her taste in art ran to abstract impressionism. Jackie was an avid reader and enjoyed good food with good company. She had a wonderful smile that could light up a room.

Jackie is survived by John, her husband of 59 years; her sons, Mark (Anne) of St. Louis; Chris of Monterey and Frank (Kathy) of Sutter Creek and her grandsons, Daniel, David and Tristan. She was pre-deceased by her sister, Mercedes Doherty of Tiverton, RI.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at San Carlos Cathedral in Monterey this Monday, May 23 at 9:30am. Private inurnment will take place at San Carlos Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the American Cancer Society, 945 S. Main, Ste. 201, Salinas, CA 93901. To sign Jackie’s guest book and leave messages for her family, visit Paul Mortuary.