Jacquie Sprague

Jacqueline Bennett Sprague, 87, a native of Long Beach, California, passed away July 16, 2012.

Born just before Christmas in 1924, Jacquie's biological father died after the birth of her younger brother George. Her mother Aletha was eventually re-married to Joe Cote, a young Navy submariner. Just before her 17th birthday, Jacquie and her family were living at Hickham Field on Oahu when the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor occurred. After being evacuated from Hawaii to the mainland, she enlisted in the USMC and served as a Marine Air Corps transport pilot. When the war ended, Jacquie returned to Long Beach, where she married and raised three sons with her husband, Don Sprague. During the boys' school years at Minnie Gant Elementary, Stanford Junior High and Millikan High Schools, she was actively involved in the PTA at each of those schools. When their youngest son left home in the mid-70's, Don and Jacquie bought a Cessna and she returned to flying – this time, as a hobby. After Don passed in the mid-80's, Jacquie continued to live at the family home in the Los Altos area. She was extremely independent and was an active member of the Mormon Church, the Civil Air Patrol, and the Ninety-Nines (an international association of women pilots).

Jacquie's surviving descendants include 3 sons (Roger & Chris & Corey), and 4 grandchildren (Ginger & Sean & Brittany & Scott). She was still residing in Long Beach, California at the time of her passing. Arrangements are under the direction of Forest Lawn, Cypress, California.