Jacquelyn Brickler Giddens

Jacquelyn Brickler Giddens passed away quietly at home on Thursday, November 11, 2021 surrounded by her family after a lengthy illness. Jacque was born on January 10, 1934 in Batesville, Indiana to Frances Becraft Brickler and George Maurice Brickler.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her beloved husband of 50 years, Dr. William R. Giddens. She is survived by her six children: Jennifer Glaser (Robert) of Tampa, FL, Jeffrey Giddens (Bree) of Shreveport, Joel Giddens (Lori) of Arlington, TN, James Giddens (Claudia) of Shreveport, Julia Wynn (Brent) of Austin, TX, and Jacqueline Brinegar (Charlie) of Shreveport and her 14 grandchildren: Matthew, Alex (Stephanie), Twain (Molly), and Emmarose Glaser; William Brickler and Evie Key Giddens; Qerina Bierschenk (Mitchell); Aaron and Emma Giddens; Ethan and James Oliver Giddens; Christopher Wynn; and Alexander and Catherine Frances Brinegar. She is also survived by her brother, Gary Brickler, and wife Susan of Folsom, CA; nieces Jeanette Garrett and Nina Glorioso; nephews William Twain Giddens, William Brickler, and Eric Brickler; and her faithful Bichon Frise, Oberon.
Jacque grew up in Jeffersonville, Indiana, just across the Ohio River from Louisiville, Kentucky. Some of her fondest childhood memories included spending time on the Ohio River with her friends, summer visits to her aunt and uncle's farm in Arlington, Indiana where she rode Belgian Draught horses, playing with her Chow dog Pogo, and avoiding the chicken coop at her grandmother Pearl Casey's farm. After graduating from Jeff High, she attended the University of Cincinnati where she joined Tri Delta sorority and entered the school of nursing, ultimately receiving her Bachelors of Science in Nursing. While living in Cincinnati, Jacque fostered her love of opera and music, became a life-long fan of Cincinnati Reds baseball, and spent a great deal of time at Mecklenburg Beer Garden with her friends. After graduating from nursing school she began practicing as a psychiatric nurse at Cincinnati General Hospital. Two years later she decided to switch gears and became a stewardess for Eastern Airlines. At the time, a nursing degree was required to work as a stewardess and she used her nursing training as well as her knack for connecting with all types of people in this new career. She was assigned to the east coast routes and was based out of Miami, FL. She enjoyed a glamorous life as a stewardess, flying on Convair 440s and Martin 404s from Miami to New York, Boston, and places in between. It was in Miami that she met and married a dashing young Air Force physician, William (Bill) Giddens. She and Bill wed at First Presbyterian Church in Homestead, FL on June 9, 1958. The following year, Bill and Jacque moved to New Orleans where Bill continued his medical training and where their first child was born. In 1960 they moved to Shreveport, Bill's hometown, and she established their home and welcomed five more children over the next nine years.
As good as Jacque was as a nurse and a stewardess, where she truly excelled was as a wife and mother. She was intensely devoted to her family and never missed a game, a play, a recital, or any other event involving her kids. She packed an unimaginable number of school lunches, coordinated complicated schedules, and had all six kids dressed to the 9s and seated quietly on the sixth pew to the right every Sunday morning at First Presbyterian Church. She and Bill loved to travel and they shared this love with their children. They visited every country in Europe, multiple countries in South America, Russia, Bulgaria, Turkey, Egypt, Morrocco, to name a few, and many of the 50 states. Jacque planned many family vacations around the globe, but one of her most treasured spots was Pensacola Beach, FL where the family spent many happy summers. Her favorite places in the world to visit included the west coast of Ireland, the south of France, Florence and Venice, Italy, the Caribbean islands and Hawaii. In recent years she loved spending a month in the autumn along the Promenade des Anglais in Nice, France wtih her brother, Gary, and sister-in-law, Susan. She was an expert gardener and maintained a beautiful rose garden. She had a green thumb and passed this love on to many of her kids. Jacque also had an intense love for animals. For a time, she raised and showed Belgian Tervurens, and had Dachshunds and Golden Retrievers. She loved horses and had many over the years. She loved to ride her favorites, Friday and Dobbin, along the bridle paths on the family property. She was an avid reader, played guitar and piano, loved to go to concerts (some of her favorite shows were Elvis, Elton John, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Jimmy Buffett, Pablo Casals, Yo-Yo Ma, and Tom Petty). In addition to her love of the Cincinnati Reds, she was an avid New Orleans Saints fan and her favorite player was Alvin Kamara; she wore her "41" jersey and her black and gold sequined tennis shoes on game days. She was an active member of First Presbyterian Church in Shreveport where she served as a Deacon and received the Presbyterian Women's Life Membership. She was a member of the Demoiselle Club, the Cotillion Club, the Shreveport Club, Pierremont Oaks Tennis Club, and the Shreveport Country Club. Jacque was a fitness buff and loved going to the Christus Fitness Center every day, where she formed many wonderful friendships. It was at the gym that she began an earnest study of Tai Chi, a martial art which she first recalled seeing being practiced at Golden Gate Park while she and Bill were on one of their many trips to San Francisco. Ultimately, Jacque obtained her certification to teach Tai Chi and led a class of faithful students for many years, something which gave her great joy. She loved her Tai Chi class and hosted memorable Christmas parties for her students every year.
Jacque had a charmed life and touched many, many people along the way. She lived life to the fullest, loved her family and her animals, and shared special relationships with her grandchildren, to whom she was known as "Kama." Jacque never stopped learning and had a great sense of humor. She was gracious and giving, a true lady and wonderful mother, and will be deeply missed by many.
A memorial service will be held at First Presbyterian Church, 900 Jordan Street, on Saturday, November 20 at 2:00 p.m., with a reception to follow. Jacque requested that memorial donations be made to the Northwest Louisiana Humane Society (hsnwla.com) or First Presbyterian Church (fpcshreveport.org).