Jacqueline Claire Cotton

Jacqueline Clair Holten Cotton (Jackie) was born August 3, 1936, in Castle Rock, Washington. She was the youngest of three daughters born to Bertha Evelyn and Clare Albert Holten. Jackie enjoyed time with her many cousins from the Castle Rock area and it became the gathering place for family reunions for generations. Both her parents and her sisters Beverly Ladene Hosler and Delores Gayle Borgman preceded her in death. As a young child, her parents followed the logging industry to Sweet Home, Oregon. In Sweet Home her and her sisters enjoyed warm summer days at the South Santiam River. Many have heard the story of how as the youngest, Jackie wanted to be included in Big Sister events. One night when her sister LaDene was with her girlfriends telling ghost stories outside by candlelight, Jackie decided to get a bit closer. Next thing, so the story goes, Jackie’s dress was on fire! But, not to worry, big sister LaDene to the rescue with the “STOP, DROP, ROLL” technique she had learned in school. Jackie told this story many times as a fond memory. Jackie’s Sweet Home journey also included working at the Sweet Home Theatre and the Rowe Shoe Store. She graduated from Sweet Home High School in 1954, but not before she became Queen Royal of the court at the Homecoming Parade. After graduation, she moved to Portland with friends Lois and Geraldine who Jackie remained lifelong friends with. Jackie and Geraldine got jobs at Montgomery Ward where their paychecks not only included their regular pay, but also a two-dollar bill. They accumulated quite the collection of two-dollar bills while they were employed there, some of which Jackie kept to this day! Her best friend since 1948, Francine fondly remembers that “self-admittedly” Jackie had the worst singing voice ever. Francine says that any time Jackie got annoyed with people she would threaten to start singing! However, that never stopped Jackie from calling and singing or wishing everyone a Happy Birthday followed by a giggle and would you like me to sing it again? Jackie met Bill Hidden and they married and moved to Tillamook, Oregon, where on February 2, 1958, they were blessed with their daughter Julie Ann. Although her marriage to Bill didn’t last long, Julie remained a blessing to Jackie until the end. After her divorce from Bill, as a single parent Jackie got a job at Georgia Pacific, in Portland, which is where she met David Larry Cotton (Dave) who became her beloved husband on April 1, 1967. Throughout their marriage, she and Dave had all kinds of adventures. Jackies first adventure was the birth of her first grandchild, Brandon Clare Frigaard who was born in July of 1981. Soon to follow was little brother Martin James Frigaard in February of 1983. Both her grandsons brought her and Dave much joy as children when they came to visit in Summerfield and Port Angeles. Jackie’s next adventure began when she and Dave bought the “Round The Clock Deli” in Port Angeles, Washington. They soon became well known for their Clam Chowder, Corn Chowder, Deviled Eggs, and deli sandwiches, which always sold out. A sly one that Jackie was as she would sneak her mom’s Homemade Banana Bread recipe into the deli for a special treat from time to time. They also purchased a motor home and traveled from Port Angeles up and down the Oregon and Washington coastline enjoying many of the sandy beaches. They met many friends in Port Angeles that they kept in touch with and saw from time to time. Before retiring they decided to take a cruise. They had so much fun they ended up taking quite a few of them. In fact, they became world travelers from Australia to Turkey, Spain, Ireland the Panama Canal, and according to their travel map, twenty-three other places in between. Some of which were the Pyramids of Egypt and the Great Wall of China. After retirement in 2009, Jackie and Dave moved to Molalla, Oregon where they lived out the rest of their lives and continued their travels which included many trips to Mexico with her sisters-in-law Carol and Marilee. Another traveling adventure Jackie enjoyed was New Year’s Eve trips to the casino in Grande Ronde. Her great niece Jessy would load up her car with Jackie, whatever family and friends would fit, and their Bingo card markers hoping to win the Big Jackpot! They would return without the jackpot, but with hats, crowns, noise makers, pom poms and fun memories. Jackies hobbies included making various ceramic items from dishes to yard art, to a Santa collection which became and annual Christmas display in her home. With her oldest sister, LaDene, they would drag their husbands along in the motor home to doll shows. The sisters became addicted to making their dolls from beginning to end. They would pour the porcelain doll parts, clean, fire, paint, sew and string bodies together, sew elaborate clothing and choose eyelashes and wigs to complete each doll. Each of their homes was not complete without an extensive doll collection. Her sister, Gayle, lived in Seattle, Washington which just happened to be a popular tour stop for live plays that traveled from town to town. Some of the favorite plays they attended together were Phantom of the Opera, 7 Brides for 7 Brothers, Little Shop of Horrors, Fiddler on the Roof, and Annie. In Port Angeles they enjoyed getting together with a group of friends to play Bunco and Pinochle which was Jackies favorite card game. Each of them started collecting plates from various artists, Precious Moments, and Snow babies. One of Jackies last craft projects was an heirloom quilt block which she presented at a baby shower for her great great great nephew three days before her unexpected passing. She was always eager to see how anyone was recovering from an illness and never forgot to thank and reward anyone who helped her out or showed her kindness. She had many interesting stories to tell, was fun to travel with and there was no such thing as a short conversation with Jackie and at the end of the conversations her favorite words were “now that we’ve solved all the world’s problems” … Jackie left us on November 28, 2023, and will be missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her. Please feel free to share any stories and memories you have. They are sure to provide comfort to those who read them.

Jacqueline Claire Cotton

August 3, 1936 - November 28, 2023