Jacqueline Marie Petitjean Work passed peacefully at her home on Monday, August 26, 2024. She lived a beautiful, full life of nearly 101 years. Jacqueline was one of the oldest living World War II War Brides at the time of her death. Born October 5, 1923, in Paris France, she was the eldest of four children and helped her family as they struggled to survive the hardships of World War II and the occupation of her beloved city. She was a Parisian at heart, loving fashion, beauty, food, and dogs. Jacqueline met her husband of 52 years, James W. Work, while he was stationed in France during the war as a sergeant in the US Army Air Corps.
A French gentleman was enjoying a beer at a café with several American G.I.’s shortly following the Liberation of France. A stunning young woman walked up to the café. One of the G.I.’s stared at her in amazement. She was petite, elegant, and beautiful. He turned to the Frenchman and said, “I’m going to marry that girl.” The gentleman glanced at the soldier and responded, “Zat is my daughter.” True to his word, James courted Jacqueline for many months, and they were married by the mayor of Paris on February 28, 1945.
Following the war and at seven months pregnant, they encountered many complications to get Jacqueline to America, including government logistics, immigration laws, and limited transportation options. She was finally able to fly to the United States to meet her husband who had already returned home several months earlier. Jacqueline was one of the few War Brides who came by airplane instead of by ship. She arrived in February 1946 to begin her new life in Indiana.
James was from Terre Haute, Indiana which is where they raised their family and lived for 30 years until moving to Parke County near Raccoon Lake in 1976. They both loved animals and Jacqueline made a career as a very talented dog groomer, specializing in poodles for show. In Terre Haute, they ran a kennel and raised specific dog breeds, including pugs and bloodhounds for search and rescue.
Jacqueline was a beautiful woman inside and out with a lovely, infectious spirit. She never lost her sweet little French accent, which only added to her charm. She was always the most elegant woman in the room –fashionable, poised and adorably vain. She was always smiling, often singing, and exuding joy. She was a member of Otterbein United Methodist Church near Bellmore for several decades. Her love for others, animals and Jesus was evident throughout her entire 100 years.
While Jacqueline was only able to return to France once prior to her mother, Fernande “Blanche” Petitjean’s death in 1971, they are now reunited in heaven along with her husband, James William Work, who preceded her in death on June 6, 1997, at the age of 83. She is also meeting her great-grandson, James Jacob Riffe who died at birth. Other family members to precede her are her father Louis Petitjean, brother René Petitjean, and sister Marie Rose Petitjean Bureau, all of Paris France.
Jacqueline is survived by one brother in France, Laurent (Claudia) Petitjean, two daughters, Margary France “Mimi” (Robert) Work Howenstine and Marilyn Rose “Mickie” Work Miller, four grandchildren – Amanda Brooke (Kevin) Miller Riffe, Jacqueline Jai (Jon) Howenstine Robinson, Jeffrey Todd (Rona) Howenstine, Craig Alan (Patty) Howenstine and seven great-grandchildren.
Jacqueline loved her family deeply and was so proud of them. She will be missed by all those she touched in her long life.
Services honoring Jacqueline Work will be 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 3, 2024, at Gooch Funeral Home, 112 W. Howard Street, Rockville with Pastor Steve Blaydes officiating. Burial will follow at Mt. Moriah Cemetery north of Hollandsburg. Visitation is 12:00 noon until 2:00 pm Tuesday at Gooch Funeral Home.
Online condolences may be shared at www.goochfuneralhome.com.
