Jacqueline Tyrell

Jacqueline Themla Tyrell, known to all as Jackie, was born in St. Andrew’s, Jamaica on June 26, 1963, to Alfred and Cynthia Tyrell. The Tyrell family migrated to Canada in the early 70's, when Jackie was 8 years old. In high school, Jackie excelled at her studies. She attended Thistletown Collegiate Institute Secondary School where she graduated with her High School Diploma in just 3 1/2 years. Soon after she was accepted to Humber College where she would pursue a career in journalism, but early signs of her illness revealed itself and nipped that dream in the bud.

Even with this disorder affecting her daily life, Jackie was determined to be a productive part of society so she would not give up on her dreams and continued to look for other career opportunities. Throughout her young adulthood, many employers such as Air Canada, and Ontario Justice System recognized the potential she had and quickly hired her. Unfortunately, with each circumstance of employment her adversary kept showing up and with a steady rhythm eventually hijacked her mind.

While in her youth Jackie enjoyed dancing and was a member of a jazz dance team. With her love of writing she often wrote short stories and poetry, and often expressed a great desire to travel if circumstances permitted.

In her later years she had a son for a young man who for sometime could not see her affliction but only her intelligence and their son they named directly after his father – Zakaria Nur Mazri Jr. Zaky, (as Jackie always called her son) was the love of her life, and it made her very sad that she was not able to care for her son full-time, so that care she entrusted to her older sister Joan. Jackie talked about Zaky constantly and you didn't have to ask for her to pull out his picture as she would proudly declare "this is my son". She would sometimes have Zaky for few days and her favorite thing was to see him dance, because he loves to dance and this would make her laugh like you have never seen her laugh. When Jackie was feeling low the best thing you could do to make her feel better or even to make her laugh would be to call and talk about Zaky or tell her something funny that he did that day, for a certainty this would perk her up.

Even with the illness, those who knew her could see her goodness and her kindness because these were absolute features of her character that nothing could over shadow. As bad as things may be for her, if she knew you were going through a hard time she would try her best to find the right words to encourage you. In her better years growing up,
all can attest to her being a fun person to be around. If you were to take a look at the majority of pictures taken of her most are with the children in her family, cousins, nieces and nephews. She had a fabulous sense of humour and at times could even laugh at herself. She was an honest person and a bonafide sister and friend as even the
local variety store owner trusted her.

Jackie loved life, but like everyone, she wanted a life without pain. Many illnesses that we as humans have and suffer from eventually surrender to - Jackie surrendered to her adversary - mental illness. Jackie will be remembered as our intelligent and giggly little sister who found humour in so many things.

Jackie passed away on Sunday March 28th and is survived by her son Zakaria, her sisters, Joan and Sonia; her brothers, Ewan and Courtney and their families, and her many cousins and nieces and nephews who all love her and will miss her.


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For those that would like to send flowers to the funeral home, the florist that is being used is:

FLORIST MEMORIES
4800 Highway 7, Unit 7
Waughanwood Mall
Woodbridge, ON

Contact: Antonette (905)850-0001, Toll Free 1-866-576-0001
www.memoriesflorist.ca