Rev. Jacqueline (Jackie) Ruth Heitmann, 72, passed away peacefully on Feb. 22, 2025, at her home.

Surviving are two brothers, John (Cindy) of Fort Myers Florida, and Jeffrey (Lily Ana Dickinson) of Beijing China. In addition, she is survived by four nieces, four nephews, 1 grand-niece and six grand-nephews.

She was born in Camden, NJ, on Aug. 2, 1952, to the late Ruth and John Heitmann.

After graduation from high school, Jackie spent four years at Plymouth State University where she majored in physical education/health sciences. After graduating from Plymouth State, she became the director of a shelter for runaway youth. She then went on to Indiana University, Bloomington, to receive her M.Ed. She was involved in several business endeavors, which built upon her creative gifts of design acumen in the field of pottery building. Upon receiving a call to ministry, she pursued her M.Div. from Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia. Jackie co-pastored two Lutheran Churches in the Hatboro area. Jackie studied with the Medical Mission Sisters and became a licensed massage therapist. She lived at the Daylesford Abby, where she offered the art of message therapy, using her hands to minister healing.

Jackie excelled at many things. She was a teacher at heart and loved to mentor others. Her career path led her to a position in 2017, with the then-Evangelical Community Hospital, as chaplain coordinator of Spiritual Care. She was instrumental in creating a program to offer care and support to families of dying patients. This program "Embrace Hope" provided end of life care to those nearing death, giving families the opportunity to receive a quilt, provided by women who donate their time and resources to maintain this offering.

Anyone who knew Jackie would say she was an energetic, creative, loving, woman of faith. She did everything with excellence and her priority was relationships. Her time at the hospital was grounded in staff support, patient and family support, and building a staff of chaplains to carry on this important work of serving others. She will be missed by all who knew her, her passion for caring and loving others with whom she came in contact was contagious.

There will be a graveside service held on March 1 at 1 p.m., at Parkview Cemetery in Medford Village, New Jersey.

A Celebration of Life will be held at St. Johns UCC, 1050 Buffalo Road in Lewisburg on March 22 at 2 p.m. for her friends and colleagues to gather and remember, "a life well lived."

Any contributions or donations can be made to the Embrace Hope program at WellSpan Evangelical Community Hospital to continue this beautiful work.

Jackie appreciated every single act of kindness and caring expressed during her illness. Her legacy of love will live on in all of you.