Jacquelyn A. Hayden (75) of Effingham, formerly of Farina

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Published on October 31 2022 8:32 am

Jacquelyn Ann Hayden fell in her home on October 12, 2022.  She underwent surgery to repair leg fractures to her tibia and fibula and was later airlifted from HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital in Effingham to Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana. Jackie was unable to recover from damage caused by a stroke following surgery and passed away just before 6 pm on Friday, October 28, 2022. She was surrounded by family at the time of her passing.

On September 1, 1947, Jacquelyn Ann Ernst was the first of five children born to Evelyn Virginia (Roberts) and Glenn Carroll Ernst, Sr. of Farina, Illinois. Known to her family and friends as “Jackie”, she was kind, gentle, welcoming, witty and intelligent.

Always popular, Jackie was a high school cheerleader and a friend to all. She graduated valedictorian of LaGrove Class of 1965 and continued her education at the University of Illinois where she studied architecture and interior design further developing her profound appreciation for all things classic, elegant and beautiful. She graduated in 1970.

Known locally for her career at World Color Press, Typographic Services Inc., Jackie was a highly-regarded customer service representative, adored by her clients and co-workers.

Jackie shares a son, Charles “Charlie” Hayden III living in Effingham, with now deceased Charles “Chuck” Hayden II of Greenville, SC. Jackie was a loving and doting grandmother to Charlie’s children, Cheyenne Virginia Hayden and Charles “Chas” Hayden IV.

Jackie’s second marriage was to the late Robert “Bob” Zeunen of Salem, IL. They shared an infant child, Barton “Bart” Zeunen, who died hours after his premature birth. Bart’s remains will lie to rest with Jackie.

Applying her expertise in interior design and appreciation for architecture, Jackie exquisitely restored the 1929 Charles and Naomi Bachmann House in Salem, IL. The house was listed on the United States National Register of Historic Places in 2001.

An avid sports car enthusiast, Jackie’s favorite was the British-made Austin-Healey of which she owned two in her lifetime. Her most recent was a 1967 Austin-Healey 3000 Bj8. It was red, of course.

While living in Salem, IL, Jackie was an outgoing member of the Lady Elks of Salem Elks Lodge. She enjoyed cooking, serving and bartending at special events.

Wherever Jackie made home, it was surrounded by insurmountable beauty to be shared as a space for creativity and discourse. Her thoughtful eye and warm touch not only sought out but cultivated beauty. This was made evident in her gardening with carefully placed plantings of irises, lilies, specimen trees, and especially roses.

A highlight of Jackie’s love of architecture and all things beautiful was a vacation to Paris in April 2018 where she visited many museums and sites of interest. At the top of her must-see list was Notre Dame. After the tragic fire later that year, Jackie showed her support by becoming a member of Friends of Notre Dame Des Paris.

Jackie, a musician herself playing piano and coronet, loved music of many genres including classical piano (Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue was a favorite), 60’s rock and roll (Beatles, Rolling Stones, The Doors, and who can forget Iron Butterfly’s “In A Gadda Da Vida” - Baby!), soft jazz, and blues. Speaking of blues, Jackie enjoyed sailing twice on the Ultimate Rhythm & Blues Cruise.

Known for her beautiful homes with creative touches, Jackie’s warmth provided a hearth for the entire family to gather and feel protected. Visiting meant an abundance of love, amazing food and warm acceptance. She always treated others with respect and had a natural ability to engage them as equals. Jackie was and will always be loved and appreciated, and the world is truly a better place because of her. She will be sadly missed.

Jackie was preceded in death by her parents, Glenn Carrol Ernst, Sr. and Evelyn Virginia(Roberts) Ernst and infant child, Barton Bernard Zeunen, and is survived by her son, Charles A. S. Hayden III of Effingham, IL, and grandchildren Cheyenne Virginia Hayden and Charles A. S. Hayden IV.

Jacquelyn Ann (Ernst) Hayden will be honored in a celebration of life ceremony at 10:30 am Saturday, November 5, 2022 at the United Methodist Church in Farina, followed by burial in the Farina Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm Friday, November 4, 2022 at Bauer Funeral Home in Effingham and from 9:30 am to the time of service, Saturday at the church. Online condolences may be expressed by clicking here