Jacqueline Lauren Runningen

Jacqueline Lauren Runningen (“Jackie”), 31, passed away on January 14, 2019 surrounded by family and close friends after living courageously with metastatic breast cancer for nearly seven years. She was welcomed into her mother, Michele Trivigno Runningen’s, loving arms in Heaven.

 Jackie was born in New Orleans, LA on July 22, 1987 to John and Michele Runningen.  A year later, she moved to Memphis, TN with her family and in 1991 to Atlanta, GA, which she would eventually call home. Jackie graduated from Riverwood High School in 2006 and was a member of the National Honor Society. She then went on to Berry College, where she received her bachelor’s degree in early childhood education and teaching in 2010. Jackie’s professional career first led her to the Atlanta International School, then to Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta, and finally to Wesley International Academy, an Atlanta Public Schools charter school. There, she served as a kindergarten teacher for nearly five years. She was a successful teacher because she believed in discipline, while also providing a loving and supportive environment where young children could grow and excel. She loved working with her wonderful colleagues and students that she adored and treated as if they were her own children.

 Jackie’s greatest love was horses, and she made sure everyone knew that. When she was only seven, she was introduced to “all things equestrian” by her sister, Nicole.  They grew up riding together at Windy Hill Farm in Gainesville, GA nearly every Saturday.  Jackie was later introduced to Don and Celia Gilner, family friends, who affectionately let Jackie claim their white thoroughbred horse, “Moon”, as her own—a relationship that she treasured greatly.

 After being diagnosed with stage III breast cancer and Li–Fraumeni syndrome, a rare, hereditary cancer disorder, at the young age of 24, Jackie’s life took on new meaning. She used her illness as motivation to live every moment to the fullest.  She accomplished many of her lifelong goals, including a trip to China, a cruise to Alaska, horseback riding in Ireland, and a trip to Las Vegas to meet her favorite celebrity, Jennifer Lopez.

 Jackie brightened the lives of all those around her with her warm smile and sense of humor. She was able to see the positive aspects of every situation despite the incredible hardships she faced.  Jackie will be remembered for her joy, fearless authenticity, and unending empathy for others. She lived fully and set an example of courage and strength for everyone who knew her.  Jackie will live on in the treasured memories of her family and friends who loved her deeply.

 Jackie is survived by her father, John Runningen; stepmother, Jane Calvert Runningen; sister, Nicole (Andrew) Gladden; the apple of her eye, her two-and-a-half-year-old nephew, Reiar Gladden; her aunt, Mary Monsted; uncle, Scott Monsted; cousins, Laura Monsted Abrams and Matt Monsted; and their families.  She is also survived by her adopted family, Beth Tanis, John Chandler, Lauren Gensler, Carrie Gensler, and their families; her work family; her beloved students; and a host of other friends and relatives. She was preceded in death by her mother, Michele Trivigno Runningen; uncle, Stephen Trivigno; and grandparents, Pat and Helen Trivigno and Raymond and Joan Runningen.

  In lieu of flowers, Jackie has requested that donations be made in her honor to the Boys and Girls Clubs of America or Goshen Valley, 387 Goshen Church Way, Waleska, GA 30183 (https://goshenvalley.org/donate/). Goshen Valley is a boys’ home that Jackie’s mother, Michele, helped start nearly 20 years ago, using a family-based model of care for children, youth, and young adults in foster care.