Jacqueline Shortell, 87, of Holmdel and Sarasota, Florida, died Jan. 15, 2024, after a long illness.
Jackie was born and raised in Brooklyn to the late Caroline and John DeNicola. After graduating from Bishop McDonnell Memorial High School, Jackie married the love of her life and childhood sweetheart Tom and they began a family together not long after.
They continued to live in Brooklyn for some time until they moved to Aberdeen in 1962 and then ultimately settled in Holmdel in 1970, where they resided for most of their lives. They also lived in Lakewood and eventually retired to Florida.
Jackie was a remarkable woman with many talents. She had many hobbies and was a brilliant artist, seamstress and cook. Her family rejoiced in her cooking. Well-prepared dinners were on the table every night and freshly baked snacks greeted her children every afternoon after school. Her recipes covered many different cuisines. On any given night, her family might expect anything from chicken Veronique to Swedish meatballs, veal Marengo to cheese fondue, Polynesian stir-fry or her famous beef stroganoff.
She was a talented pen-and-ink artist with a keen fashion sense, so good that she was awarded a full scholarship to the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. Later in life she also took up watercolor painting. She was a master seamstress, creating her own patterns and elaborate dresses with hand-sewn English smocking, which she shared with family, friends and others in the community. Her creativity included crochet, needlepoint and macramé.
She was very well-read and enjoyed reading on a daily basis throughout her entire life. Her interest in books led her to take on volunteer positions leading the libraries at both St. Benedict School and Bayshore Hospital in Holmdel. Her friends often said that Jackie was always the smartest person in the room, but with an unassuming manner that made you feel smarter, too.
She and her husband traveled the world together, visiting every continent but Antarctica.
Most of all, Jackie loved spending time with her family and friends, who will all miss her dearly.
She was predeceased by her beloved husband Thomas Shortell and her two brothers, John “Buddy” DeNicola and Edward DeNicola.
Surviving are her children, Susan and her husband Neil Mackinnon of Chelmsford, Massachusetts, Thomas and his wife Vivian Shortell of Tinton Falls, Jacqueline and her husband Charles Olynyk of Islamorada, Florida, and David Shortell of Marlboro; her eight grandchildren, Nathan, Thomas, Sean, Owen, Cassie, Timothy, Kristen and Anna; her seven great-grandchildren, Carter, Charlie, Erin, Nora, Madelyn, Allie and Nico; and a large extended family.
A memorial gathering was held Jan. 18 at Holmdel Funeral Home, Holmdel. A Mass of Christian Burial was offered Jan. 19 at the Church of St. Catharine, Holmdel. Entombment followed at Holmdel Mausoleum, Holmdel.
For messages of condolence or to share a favorite memory of Jackie, please visit her tribute page holmdelfuneralhome.com.
This article originally appeared in the February 1 – 7, 2024 print edition of The Two River Times.
