WASHINGTON, Massachusetts (AP) - Folk singer Arlo Guthrie has announced the death of his wife, Jackie, at age 68.
Jackie Guthrie had inoperable cancer and died Sunday at the couple's winter home in Sebastian, Florida, according to an obituary released by Arlo Guthrie's record label. The couple had recently celebrated their 43rd wedding anniversary.
In a Facebook posting, Guthrie says his relationship with his wife was "a very great love."
"We didn't always like each other," he wrote. "From time to time there were moments when we'd have our bags packed by the door. But, there was this great love that we shared from the moment we met - a recognition - It's YOU! And we would always return to it year after year, decade after decade and I believe life after lifetime."
Jackie Guthrie was from Salt Lake City and grew up in Malibu, California. She met Arlo Guthrie in 1968 while working as a cashier at the Troubadour, the Hollywood nightclub th at was an epicenter for folk music at the time. Before they'd even met, Jackie walked into the dressing room and told Arlo's step brother that she would marry Arlo, according to the obituary, released Monday by Guthrie's label, Rising Son Records.
The next year, the couple purchased a 250-acre property called "The Farm" that the family still owns in Washington, in western Massachusetts. They were married on the front lawn in October of that year.
The couple raised four children, and in recent years the family toured together, with Jackie Guthrie working as the videographer. This past summer, the family toured to celebrate the centennial birthday of Arlo's father, folk singer Woody Guthrie, and Jackie became so weak she could barely hold up the camera, according to the obituary. In early September, she was diagnosed with inoperable liver cancer.
On his website, Arlo Guthrie said his wife called her family to her bedside early Sunday and died later that mornin g.
On his Facebook page, Arlo Guthrie said he's cancelling or postponing some upcoming shows and will begin a planned tour in Canada next week.
Jackie Guthrie is survived by her four children with Arlo Guthrie; her daughter with singer David Crosby; and 10 grandchildren.
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RIP Jakie it was an honor to meet in the town of Brookfield Massachusetts someone had introduced me to you when you showed up to visit a friend named Jeff Myers hope your with thee angel's in heaven and hope to meet you again there so sorry wasn't able to say goodbye we'll all miss you especially Arlo be blessed forever always Bill manos
William Manos
September 17, 2024 | Friend
I am a Massachusetts native Bedford. I grew up with folk music, I watched all the Arlo/Pete Seeger concerts, before Pete and Jackie passed. I am glad to see the tradition lives on, with Arlo and his family. They sound great! I see he recently got remarried. God bless both of you! We have seen a lot the last few years, things that we never thought possible. We need Arlo’s inspiration to weather the storm. God bless America. We need to get back to moving forward
Cathy McGrath
February 02, 2022 | Vail, AZ | Friend
I was so disappointed to learn that you were not home when my friend Chuck Clute brought me to your house to meet you. We had so much fun spending the afternoon with her that I forgot about you. Well, we did actually celebrate you by watching your video spoofing Punk music. She was a genuinely kind person and I know you must still miss her greatly.
Ray Bryant
January 14, 2021
No more pain. No more suffering from this terrible disease. I'm glad you and Arlo had a long and good life together. Arlo will see you on the other side when his time comes. Love and Peace to you both.
Elizabeth Lao
August 22, 2020 | Plano, TX
Guthries, all. I am remembering Jackie today on the birthday of my sister Patricia who also died too young in 2012. She had to suffer my continual playing of 'Alice's Restaurant' when I was 16 and she was 12. Finally, our dad let me play the album on his Motorola console stereo/mono cabinet turntable for the whole family on Thanksgiving. That old man loved that song, an old SeaBee from WWII, who ran a flag up the pole every morning at our house in Castalia, Ohio. He and I argued over...
susan rochette
May 21, 2020 | Purlear, NC | Friend
Hello Arlo I met your wife in north Brookfield at these two gentleman's place there names were Jeff Myers and John can't remember John's last name but they were good friends I had met your wife there she was a awesome person i hope that someday i can meet you Arlo so sorry for loss may she always rest in peace I'm hoping you'll get in touch with me someday my email [email protected] looking forward to meeting you someday hope your doing well bud from us Bill &Laurie Manos of...
Bill
April 23, 2020 | Acquaintance
Arlo, I am sorry for your loss. May you and your family find peace and hope
Sheri Buffington
January 08, 2020 | Hemet, CA | Acquaintance
I'm sorry to learn of Jackie Guthrie's passing. I want to convey my condolences and express my heartfelt sympathy and condolences to Arlo and family.
Sheila Ewall
December 07, 2018 | Richmond Hill, NY | Acquaintance
Bob Heydenreich
July 15, 2018 | Portland, OR