Obituary of Jacqueline Elizabeth Dasté

Jacqueline Elizabeth (née Anderson) Dasté, a pioneer in hospice nursing and one of two children of Swedish immigrant Arthur Helmer Anderson and South Carolina native Winnie Pearl (née Alewine) Anderson, passed away May 20, 2021, due to natural causes at the age of 86.

Born Oct. 24, 1934, in Lexington, S.C., Jackie grew up above her family’s grocery store/gas station, pumping gas and checking oil. She earned extra money sorting peaches. At age 12, the family moved to Michigan City, Ind., where the plucky softballer became a lifelong Chicago White Sox fan, worked as a carhop at Valentine’s Drive-In, and graduated from Elston Senior High School.

A scrappy go-getter, Jackie graduated as a Registered Nurse from St. Margaret’s School of Nursing in 1955 and then drove out with a friend to San Francisco. She began work as an industrial nurse, and met her dedicated and loving husband of 55 years, Joel, at the John Carroll Guild in Sacramento.

Jackie spent the next four decades in the nursing field, working nights and tirelessly, lovingly raising four children at the same time. When a new branch of nursing called “hospice” opened up, she began her life’s calling: caring for people in their final weeks, as well as offering comfort to their families at such a vulnerable time. Her kind, loving impact on so many lives was immeasurable.

In 1996, she and Joel “retired” to Hot Springs Village, Ark., where she continued to work as a hospice nurse for many years, in addition to perfecting her ping-pong skills, building special friendships, and volunteering with the Ladies Guild at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church.

A perfect day for Jackie included saying her morning prayers, laughing and exchanging stories with her cherished family, chatting on the phone with close and faraway friends, finishing a jumble puzzle, feeding her dear dogs, playing cards and board games, and watching her adored San Francisco 49ers beat those dang Cowboys.

Jackie is survived by her four grateful children: Hilary Freed (Arthur), Heidi Hall (Christopher), Christopher Dasté (Christine), and Holly Dasté; and four incredibly loved and loving grandchildren: Cody, Dillon, Carly, and Nate.

Jackie was predeceased by her caring husband, Joel, in 2015; her parents; and her beloved brother Anthony Heyward Anderson, with whom she shared an infectious sense of humor.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to your local hospice or to Disabled American Veterans.

A private burial ceremony will be held. Arrangements are with Rose Family Funeral Home of Simi Valley, Calif. The family welcomes online condolences by visiting rosefamilyfuneralhome.com .