Jackie Jane Poe

Jacqueline Jane Kalman Poe, known as Jackie Poe to all who treasured, loved and respected her, was born October 26, 1938, in White Hall, Illinois, to Jack and Mabel Kalman. Jackie came into the world as the 1st of 4 girls and was delivered in the home of the doctor.

Jackie attended Norman High School, where she first met and was charmed by Bob Poe. Jackie and Bob became high school sweethearts and married June 10, 1958. Their union was blessed with two children, four grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, close brothers and sisters, and an uncountable number of friends.

Jackie Poe lived a full, vibrant life and possessed the enviable ability to be constantly present in the moment. She was a marvelous cook, always made a warm home for her family, lent her sharp mind and organizational abilities to the growth of numerous family businesses, and forever displayed an exquisite sense of aesthetic, which she used to design and decorate…and re-decorate the many homes where they lived. Jackie was a lifelong learner and inquisitive about other cultures within and without of her own country. Wherever she and Bob settled, Jackie engaged in the community, was active in her church life as well as numerous state, local and business organizations; she generously gave of her time and talents to good causes and to those who needed help. Before any adventure abroad, she could be found pouring over books and maps, then seeking and questioning and smiling (that inimitable Jackie smile), she would explore the world and charm all those she met.

Jackie’s greatest legacy, apart from her family, was her philanthropy and belief that we have a duty to the future of children; to encourage play and curiosity, to help them learn to take joy in their world and to grow in the process of making good decisions. Jackie and Bob contributed to The Gathering Place, and recently Jackie, as the founder of The Poe Family Foundation, conceived and funded an educational collaboration between the Tulsa Children’s Museum Discovery Lab and The Salvation Army Boys and Girls Clubs. Jackie inspired her son Richard and his family to become astronauts, reserved as numbers 848-850 on Virgin Galactic to go to space in 2026; one of the first space families in history.

Faith and family were held as the central focus of Jackie’s life. She is survived by her daughter, Susan Poe and grandson, Frank Deck and wife Katrina Jewel, Susan’s daughter-in-law Christie Rice and her children, son, Richard Poe, his wife Kun Zhi and grandchildren Antonio, Angelika and from a previous marriage, grandson Alexander Poe, sister Teresa Kalman Brown and husband Doug, sister Julie Kalman Brown and husband Dave, brother-in-law Pat Poe and many nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her parents, her husband, Bob Poe, and sister, Joan Kalman Kasper.

Jackie was joyful, gracious, highly intelligent, generous, funny and direct; the adventures and escapades of her life well lived were many. Jackie left beauty and harmony in her wake. Her celebration of life will be 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, October 26, 2022 at the Tulsa Children's Museum Discovery Lab, overlooking the Gathering Place and the river.

“In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial gifts be made in memory of Jacqueline Kalman Poe to Mayo Clinic for pancreatic cancer research. Donations can be made by phone, online or by mail:

Phone 1-855-852-8129 and select option one from the menu selections to be connected with an operator on a secure phone line to complete your gift.

Online: Please visit https://philanthropy.mayoclinic.org/donatemc and complete the online form.

• Under “Designate my gift to...”, please select the appropriate fund from the provided list or select “Other” and manually enter the correct designation.

• Under “Tribute Information” please indicate the gift is in memory of Jacqueline Poe.

Written and mailed directly to Mayo Clinic, Department of Development, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905