Obituary

Jacqueline Marie Belonax died July 20, 2018 at her home in Goodyear, AZ surrounded by her loving husband, Don, and her sons, Tony and Tim. Known mostly as Jackie by her friends and family, she was born on the South side of Chicago on a sunny day in June of 1948. Her parents, Louis and Sophie Prah were blue collar folks that knew the value of a dollar and a hard day’s work, instilling the values of family and friendship in her that would last a lifetime.

Until her passing, Jackie’s marriage to her husband Don was closing in on a half a century of wedded bliss. She relished seeing the world on cruises with him. Together they traveled throughout Europe and the United States. They don’t make couples like Jackie and Don anymore—two Catholic high school sweethearts whose loving bond spanned the tests of military service, multiple moves across the US, two sons (raising boys ain’t easy), a bunch of pets, and cancer.

Everyone that met Jackie loved her, especially for her caring heart and thoughtful spirit. She was generous in all aspects of her life, from offering you the last slice of dessert to her numerous volunteering positions. Regardless of where her family lived, from the heart of the Midwest to the suburbs of California, she found employment with organizations that would improve the lives of others. In PebbleCreek, she was a member of Kare Bears, a 501(c)(3) organization that helps people recuperating from illness, surgery or hospitalization. She served as both a unit coordinator and within the Kare Bear’s home for 10 years. She was a giver.

Jackie was also a tireless mother that loved her sons unconditionally, never letting them go out the door hungry. She and Don built a loving family life, making sure that everyone was nourished in mind, body, and soul. She instigated trips to cultural institutions, stretched budgets to make family meals happen, and made sure her boys learned the value of, “Please.” and “Thank you.” Her pride for her sons knew no bounds and her friends surely received an earful. Despite Tim’s multiple tattoos or heated arguments with Tony, her love and respect for them never wavered.

She was a supportive friend to all, constantly forging new friendships throughout her life. Jackie loved the connection that games brought to those around her, whether putting on the green with her ladies at PebbleCreek, throwing down some tiles with her mah jongg group, or just playing Scrabble with her family.

Her presence with us on this Earth will be missed but never forgotten.

Jacqueline is survived by her husband, Donald Belonax, sons, Anthony and Timothy Belonax, brothers and sisters-in-law, James and Gloria Belonax, and Joseph and Barbara Belonax. She was preceded in death by her parents, Sophie and Louis Prah and her brother Jerome.

A visitation will be held from 4:00 – 7:00pm, Wednesday, July 25, 2018 at Thompson Funeral Chapel, 926 S. Litchfield Road, Goodyear, AZ, 85338.  A funeral mass will be at 10:00am, Thursday, July 26, 2018 at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, 539 E. La Pasada Blvd, Goodyear, AZ 85338.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations be made to the organizations below:
Kare Bears http://www.karebears.org/returns-donations.html
Lungevity.org https://lungevity.org/for-supporters-advocates/support-our-work;
Cancer Support Community AZ https://cscaz.gnosishosting.net/Portal/Donate.
Condolences for the family may be left at ThompsonFuneralChapel.com.