Jacqueline Lan Schefke, 77, of Pinellas Park, passed away on April 28, 2019.
Jacqueline was born on January 10, 1942 in South Vietnam, a daughter of the late Nguyen Van Thu and Ho Vu.
She met and married her husband, Leonard, in Viet Nam, while he was in the United States Army.
They came back to the States in 1964. Their first duty station was Ft. Riley, Kansas. The General then asked her to teach Vietnamese to American officers of the 1st Infantry Division. She also provided assistance to Social Services to help interpret to immigrants coming to the United States. Her family remembers her as selfless and kind hearted. She was a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother. She was very wise. Her husband called her “the Pearl of the Orient.”
She volunteered her time at the Allen Park Veterans Home in Michigan. She enjoyed pinochle, euchre and rummy and leaves behind many card playing friends.
Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by one brother: Nghia Nguyen, one sister-in-law: Khang Nguyen and one sister: Dao Nguyen.
She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Leonard Leo Schefke, of Pinellas Park. 2 Sons: Leonard Schefke Jr. of Round Rock, Texas and foster son Richard Musial of Corpus Christie, Texas and 1 Daughter: Laura Lan Schefke of Clinton Township, Michigan. 4 Grandsons: David Lee Albert of Austin, Texas, Christopher Schefke of St. Clair Shores, Michigan,Phillip Schefke of East Point, Michigan and Michael Musial of Corpus Christie, Texas. 2 Granddaughters: Christina and Jessica also of Corpus Christie, Texas, as well as, many great grandchildren. One brother: Joseph Nhan Nguyen and his wife, Dung Vu of Kyle, Texas and many nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends, with open casket, Wednesday, May 1st,2019, from 7-9 pm at the Holy Martyrs of Vietnam Church 9099 90th Avenue Seminole, FL 33777
A mass of Christian burial will be held Thursday, May 2nd, 2019 at 9:00 am at the church, with a closed casket.
Burial will be held at Sarasota National Cemetery at 2:00 pm
Jackie will be missed by many. A beautiful person and soul inside and out, always giving, helping and loving to all she met. My sincerest sympathies to Leonard and all of her family at this difficult time.
She was one of the first people to help my parents settle here into the States. She was a wonderful and spunky woman who I’m happy to call my godmother. She loved with her heart. You will be missed by all. May you dance with the angels Ma Lan.
RIP Aunt Jackie!
My deepest Sympathy to you Uncle Len!
My Dearest Uncle Len, Lenny, Laurie and families.
I am saddened by your loss. My prayers for healing and peace for you all during this time of greif. Rest easy in God’s promise of greener pastures. I will always carry fond memories of Aunt Jackie!!!
God Bless you all
Uncle Len &family my deepest sympathies on the loss of Aunt Jackie I have many happy memories of her that I will forever remember. Love Susie
You were one of the wisest and strongest woman that I ever missed. Both a friend and second mother to me and you will always remain in my heart. Fond memories of us playing Vietnamese songs in the accordion together. You going to be missed. Condolences to my adopted Schefke and Nguyen family.
She babysat me from time to time. I remember the big waterbed she had, she would tell me to put my ear in the mattress, close my eyes and pretend I was floating on water, was pretty cool I would say. She taught me how to tell time ( at least I knew snack time which was 2:00pm) she told me when the bird ( cuckoo clock) came out it was time to eat! She gave me Cheerios with some fruit and a scoop of sugar, I always asked if I could have one more scoop, she would give in and give me another half scoop! I love you Ma Lan, I will always have you in my prayers. A big hug and kiss to you in heaven.
Dear Ba Ut,
Hello Ba Ut, this is Thomas. I am sorry I could say anything when you were in the hospital. So I am typing this out to you. Thank you for all of the great memories I had with you. For example I always had a great time if I was at your house or playing Uno. Uno is now to me a symbol of you. I still remember the times when we played Uno that every time we did a add 2 or 4 card to someone, we would usually say “I am sorry but I still love you”. Although I still wish you were here with everyone else, I hope that you are having a great time in heaven and you are living the life you always deserved. I will always cherish the memories that you have gave to me and everyone else. So Thank you for being with me. (P.S Thank you for teaching my dad that song that went like “ where where where you tonight why you leave me here all alone…” since my dad has taught us that song, we still sing it to this day in your memory.)
From someone that loves you, Thomas
Dear Ba Ut,
Hello Ba, this is Anna. I am writing this because there is still a lot more that I wanted to say to you but couldn’t. I want to thank you for teaching me how to crochet. Thanks to you, I can save up a bit of money by not having to buy stuffed animals, because now I have the skill to make them myself! I want to thank you for loving me and my family. I want to thank you for looking out for me. I want to thank you for playing with me. The list of thank yous would go on forever. But, most importantly, I want to thank you for just being there for me, and for laughing with me. I loved those moments when we laughed together. Like the times when we would play UNO. And when one of us would put down a draw card and when we would say to the next person, “ I’m sorry, but I still love you” I love the days when we would just hang out with each other and talk and when you would teach me how to make those amazing projects that you do. I will most definitely be practicing the skills you have taught me until I become as good as you. I hope that you have a happy eternal life with God. We are all going to miss you very much. But, we know that you will be looking at us from heaven and help guide us in the right direction just like you always do.
Love your great niece, Anna Nguyen
Ba Ut, on behalf of my family I write these words with a heavy heart to express our everlasting gratitude towards you. You are not only Aunt and great aunt, but you also are the role of Mom and grandma. We feel honored and privileged to have been your niece and nephew. You’ve always opened your heart to us and shown us an unconditional love like no other, and I want you to know that you are just as loved. With the gift of years comes the treasure of knowing that there are many who love you dearly. The memory and the tenderness you’ve shared with us will never fade. You may have passed from this world but you will never pass from our hearts, and we know that you’d be here with us today If heaven wasn’t so far away. Thank you for being our guardian angel forevermore
– Love Trung, Loan, Linda, and Lena
I am very sorry that Ba Ut has died. I believe about 1 month ago I saw that she was fine, until I heard that her lung collapsed. I felt super sad that I started to cry a little about what was going to happen. After a little bit I’ll goes to florida to see her. I always thought she was kind, gentle, loving, and more. She taught me a lot of things. Now I know how it is to lose people I will be more grateful and I am willing to skip two games and a practice to go to funeral.
Barron Liu
Dear “Ca Ca”. Yes, you will remember that term because I used to call you like that just to be different from my siblings so you know it was me. You have been contributed so much laughters and happy memories to my life. Days and nights staying till sunrises when you came to visit us in Detroit or when we went to visit you in Alpena. Didn’t know we can really talk! :). Well, so much beautiful memories to be listed. I don’t want to be selfish to hog you all to myself, but you once told me that I look like you the most (not sure if you say it to my sisters too), but regardless, I’m so proud to be called your niece because you are beautiful inside out. I love you Cô. Have a safe journey home to our Loving Father in Heaven. Your niece “who looks like you the most”- Nuong
I will always remember the poem you taught me and songs we’ve sung together.
“Troi mat me, canh vui tuoi.
Leo Len doi, ngoi ca hat.
Tinh tang tang.”
Oh the torture of having to study Vietnamese and do chores all summer long. You’ve always said to me “you’ll thank me one day!” Turns out to be one of the best summers ever. It is indescribable how thankful and grateful I am each and everyday for having the best aunt anyone can ask for.
I want thank you once again, not only for your love, guidance, and support, but for being my “lo co” and I ask that you continue to look after us as you enter the kingdom of God!
Love
Bryan Nguyen
Our thoughts, prayers and condolences go out to you, Leonard: Jackie was a wonderful gifted woman and we shall always remember her.
Love and sympathy to aunt Jackie and uncle Len,they were the brightness in my life.Lenny and laura my prayers to u and your families love Jeanie
Words cannot say how much the friendship between Jackie and myself meant to each of us. We met forty years ago and remained the closest of friends for all that time. She was a person of her word and did and meant what she said. She was kind but firm and loved Leonard with all her heart and then some. They balanced each other out so well over the years. From visiting her in Alpena and then when they moved to Florida, I was made to feel special on each and every visit. I always had my own “room” in their home and we had wonderful visits. Sometimes we went here and there and sometimes we just sat and talked. She permed my hair and colored by hair and did my nails. I did a lot of things for her over the years, but I think the most important was that we were a sounding board for each other. We told each other everything and gave and received advice. She comforted me with wise words when my son had a serious accident in 1992. Words I will always remember. She was wise and caring and did everything she could for everyone she knew. Leonard and her children were the most important to her and her brother and wife and nieces and nephew were always there for her and she was always there for all of them. Losing Jackie is a large space to fill but knowing her and loving her will give us all comfort forever. Love to Jackie, from Bernie. and love from Jerry.
Great Aunt Jackie you will be greatly missed! The kids still talk about how you showed them how to use chopsticks! Great Unlce Len, Lenny, Laura and family,I am very sorry for your loss, but I know she will always be with you in all that you do. She wouldn’t want you to be sad, but celebrate the wonderful life she had!
Sending prayers and condolences to Len Schefke and family. My childhood memories are still fresh of times spent with both of you through our dear friends, the Majewski family. To my sister Marcia and me, you were always jovial, attentive, and warmly affectionate. When I was a teenager, Jackie was the most exotic person I knew, arriving in Michigan and sharing her energy and charm with our family. The tributes above attest to the many lives she touched and enriched. Jackie was blessed with brightness and charm, and so she remains a blessing to each of our lives. God rest her soul, and may we carry memories of Jackie in our hearts, a constant inspiration for how to reach out and make lives better during this precious lifetime.
We will certainly miss Jackie at pinochle club.She was such a beautiful personality and terrific player.I’m back in Michigan now and recently heard the sad news.My sincerest condolences to Leonard and the entire family.
Lila Richards
Our dearest condolences go out to leonard and family.
Jackie was a beautiful person inside and out, what a wonderful heart.
She a always had a great smile, and wonderful personality. Never a harsh word, ever did I hear. She was so very pleasently to be around. I couldn’t wait to play with her and leonard. We miss her dearly, and keep her in our prayers every noght.
And we pray for Leonard because I can only imagine the great pain of loosing his best friend of 55 years. We are so proud of knowing Jackie and Lenord, and thank God for putting them in our life!1
The Lakota children of St. Joseph’s Indian School and I remember you and your family in our daily thoughts and prayers.