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Jamie Shepard Mackin

1978 - 2017

Jamie Shepard Mackin obituary, 1978-2017

BORN

1978

DIED

2017

FUNERAL HOME

Starks Funeral Parlor

3651 South 900 East

Salt Lake City, Utah

Jamie Mackin Obituary

1978 ~ 2017
On August 22, 2017, Jamie succumbed to the disease of addiction. Jamie was born in Salt Lake City on September 6, 1978. She attended Judge Memorial High School where she excelled on the swim team. On her path to become an educator, she graduated from Colorado State University in Ft. Collins, Colorado. She went on to obtain her Masters Degree in Elementary Education from Pepperdine University in Los Angeles where she discovered her passion for teaching. She was a founding teacher of Citizens of the World Charter School in Los Angeles. She was an amazing teacher, loved by her students, their parents and the other teachers. Jamie instilled a love of learning in her students. They became her children.
Jamie loved the outdoors and was an avid skier and hiker. She was as much at home in the ocean as she was on the land. From riding a horse at a dude ranch in Colorado to casting a fly on the Green River, Jamie did everything with an unbridled enthusiasm.
She leaves behind her heartbroken family, parents, Jim and Diane, brothers, Sam and Riley and many other loved ones.
A celebration of Jamie's life will be held at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East, Salt Lake City from 6:00 to 8:00 PM on Saturday, August 26, 2017. Guests are encouraged to use the complimentary valet parking on the north side of the building.
Online condolences may be offered and a tribute video slide show may be viewed at www.starksfuneral.com
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Citizens of the World Charter School where Jamie changed the lives of many children.
https://cwcsilverlake.nationbuilder.com/jamiemackin

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Salt Lake Tribune on Aug. 25, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for Jamie Mackin

Sponsored by Starks Funeral Parlor.

Not sure what to say?





Vincent Foster

September 6, 2025

My dearest Jamie, on what would´ve been your 47th birthday. My poem for you.

The flow of time does not pass long without a glimmer of a reminder of you, as my body becomes an alarm clock, woken up by a vast catalogue of memories of you, never to be taken away, deleted, or modified. We are the owners where our love is safe, secure and free from forces of destruction from those that are jaded, lacking empathy, and capacity to find their own love my thoughts of you carrying me through this journey onto a new path, but never alone as you´re always with me, always a part of me and you will always be my alarm clock, reminding me of the love I had with you and the love that´s ahead of me.
Your loving Vincent

Amber Valletta

August 20, 2025

I think of your sweet loving spirit often. I love you Jamie but you know that. Amber

Vincent Foster

February 14, 2025

Happy Valentine's Day

Vincent Foster

December 25, 2024

Hey baby, I just wanted to say Merry Christmas to you. Love you always. Vincent

Vincent Foster

September 27, 2024

" I would give up all my tomorrow´s
For a single yesterday with you"

[email protected]

September 6, 2024

Today, i want to celebrate the life of Jamie Shepherd Mackin on what would have been her 46th birthday to me she was the most beautiful woman with big strong feeling´s as she would often tell me. I hope that those who knew her will never for get her and recall that beautiful smile that was a gift directly from God. The pain of losing Jamie is still with me but the love I have for her keeps me going, striving to be a better person. Happy birthday beautiful, until I see again.
Vincent

[email protected]

June 16, 2024

Missing you & your beautiful smile everyday thank you for the sweet memories of your Father´s Day card that I cherish.

[email protected]

June 15, 2024

[email protected]

June 15, 2024

[email protected]

June 15, 2024

My love for you has never wavered. I carry you in my heart. As the poem goes wherever you go, I go because you are a part of me and I´m a part of you.
Thank you for my cherish Father´s Day card. Love Vincent

Vincent Foster

February 14, 2023

You´ll always be my Valentine´s Day girl. You look so happy, and you insisted on paying for dinner this Valentine´s Day 2016. our hearts are broken that you´re not with us, but the memories that you provided that you´re not with us, but the memories that you provided us mends our hearts. Love Vincent
[email protected]

Paulette Serrano

December 29, 2022

Ms. Mackin,
I was looking through my old elementary memories and wanted to reach out to my teachers on Facebook. I found you´re account and couldn´t believe it. I wanted to send you a message saying how much I appreciated you. How incredibly lucky I am to have experience you as my teacher. I was a little girl who came from a difficult household and you showed that little girl what reassurance, kindness, gentle energy, and understanding looked like. You´re impact on me created core memories that I will always look back at and remember everything you did for us. I remember how you planned a surfing trip for us and it was a very big deal because all the kids in our class were low income. Surfing wasn´t something we´d think we would ever experience, just something we would see in the movies. But because of you, you gave us that unforgettable experience. Thank you for always receiving the shy little girl in me and giving me the warmest hugs and teaching me how to use my words when I was at my saddest. I will never forget you Ms. Mackin and your calm, warm, gentle aurora. I will forever be your Ruby Tuesday. Xoxo
-Ruby Serrano

[email protected]

September 5, 2022

" My dearest Jamie neither, time, distance,
height, depth and even death will ever separate us from the love I carry in my heart for you."

Today, in remembrance of that love, Happy Birthday
Vincent

[email protected]

August 21, 2022

Today, yesterday, and tomorrow I want to reflect on this beautiful woman that we lost on this day five years ago. Jamie Shepard Mackin was the love of my life and the love of her parents and two brothers, Riley and Sam; Jamie`s memory and spirit live on in all who knew her and many of her students; let´s celebrate for inner peace between ourselves and others. I truly believe in my heart the Jamie spirit is with me and others. I love you, baby, always have and always will. Until we meet again, we indeed as our creator has promised.
Vincent

Vincent Foster

June 25, 2022

You cried when you read my poem to you; It was tears of joy.

Vincent Foster

February 14, 2022

I remember you took me out for Valentine´s Day dinner. I´m going to check came insisted on paying and I was like what? you told me that you love me and I told you I always loved you and I always will.

[email protected]

Vincent Foster

February 12, 2022

there´s nothing lovelier in a tree planet in your name.

Single Memorial Tree

Your loving fiancé Vincent

Planted Trees

Vincent

December 25, 2021

"I loved you and that was the beginning and end of everything"

Vincent Foster

December 23, 2021

My Dearest Jamie,
Christmas is less bright knowing you´re not with us to enjoy it.
Our creator has called you home, now free of all the pain, free of tears
Only that beautiful smile remains in heaven.
We want you back, and we have that because your memory is very much alive (like the picture with my son Dylan) and lives in me everyday day and always will be until we meet again.

Vincent

September 24, 2021

I sent you flowers on your Birthday, but you know this! As I always feel your spirit around me, along with your picture and a lock of your hair I wear around my neck. I always recall our poem, you would recite to me every time we were part " I go wherever you go! for you are a part of me and I am a part of you.
"I loved You thousand times more than hundreds I told you´
Love Vincent

Amber Valletta

September 15, 2021

I miss you too sweetest Jamie. Your smile and laughter always in my heart. I love you

Don Callely

September 14, 2021

Just thinking of you tonight dearest Jamie!

Miss you.

Vincent

January 24, 2021

My love for you is timeless, It will never wavier.

Scarlett Vidrio

October 19, 2019

Ms jamie was not only my teacher but one of my best friends.

V Foster

August 21, 2019

Never will we forget you.
Never will I forget you.
Today is the day you left us.
Today is the day you left me.
Today is the day there will be no more tomorrows.
Yesterday , you told me you loved me forever.
Yesterday, I told you Ive always loved you..
Yesterday, ours was a love story, for the ages you would tell me, my tomorrows will be brighter.
yesterday is yesterday and tomorrow is tomorrow .
All I have to do is get through today.

Vincent

V. Foster

March 12, 2019

vincent Foster

September 6, 2018

On this day forty years ago, the Angels came from where Angels come from and delivered a beautiful baby girl with a smile that only could have been made in heaven, years later i fell in love with that smile and the woman behind it! Today in celebration of what would have been Jamie's 40th birthday, i take a break from my tears knowing that her beautiful smile is with our Creator.

Brian Dudek

June 6, 2018

Heartbreaking, Jamie and I were house-mates for almost three years before she graduated from CSU. We had lost touch over the years but I Googled her today hoping to say hello but found this sad news. I had the opportunity to meet her parents and at least one of her brothers. They all shared the same warm, happy, and positive outlooks, hers will be missed.

Karen Jackson

May 5, 2018

Dear Diane. I just called Mary Ferencz for her Cinco de Mayo birthday. We talked about the last MSMC magazine with Callista Roy. She mentioned the sudden death of your beloved daughter, Jamie. I had missed the news reading my copy. My heart just broke for you. I am so deeply sad

Vincent Foster

September 20, 2017

Vincent Foster

September 20, 2017

Vincent Foster

September 20, 2017

Vincent Foster

September 20, 2017

Jamie was and always will be the love my life. she made it easy to love her with her style and grace her beauty and yes that beautiful little voice I can hear her telling me O'Baby! but it was the way that she held my hand so tight wherever we were, in the car, theater. I will never let go of my loving thoughts of you Jamie and I will always love you for I know you are in arms of our loving creator therefore I will see again.
Love,
Your Vincent

Ceil Carino

September 8, 2017

Jim & Diane,
I am so sorry for your loss. My heart aches for you and your family. I cannot imagine how one begins to heal with the loss of a beautiful, talented & loving daughter. My heart goes out to you and your boys. Ceil Carino

Lacy Fowles Anderson

August 31, 2017

Dear Mackin Family,I am so sad to hear the news of Jamie's passing. She and I were friends at The Fort. She was such an awesome swimmer. I put my heart and soul into racing the backstroke, but I never could beat her (and backstroke wasn't even her best stroke). I was an excellent backstroker and I often won, but if Jamie was in the race- she always beat me. You might think this would create some hard feelings between us, but Jamie was such a lovely and gracious person (even as a teenager) that I counted her a good friend and never resented her awesome swimming talent. I was grateful she was on my team! I send your family my sincere condolences and pray you will feel peace at this time.

Lesli Laiola

August 29, 2017

Will always love our Jamie.

Andrew Robinson

August 29, 2017

Jamie,
You were such a kind and incredible person and will be dearly missed. Rest in peace sweet Jamie.

Jennifer Tighe

August 29, 2017

My dearest jamie. I came upon our picture on your Facebook and you had above it "sisters" yes indeed we were sisters. I will always cherish the crystals you gave me. Thank you for helping me in my recovery from this awful disease. I love you

Charlotte (Kitterer)Mates

August 28, 2017

Dear Diane, Jim, Sam, Riley -
My thoughts & prayers are with you at this difficult time.
I remember Jamie as a talented, enthusiastic athlete at Cosgriff Girls Atheletic program 1989 through 1991.
Your family was always present providing Stellar support at every game for volleyball and basketball as our daughters learned leadership and team building skills during their formative years.
Peace and love to each of you as you grieve for Jamie's absence physically in your lives. My hope for you is that Jamie's memories and contributions will sustain you.
God bless you.

Love & Peace

Ashley C

August 27, 2017

My deepest condolences to the Mackin family. In this time of grief may you find peace in remembering Jamie's profound impact on those around her and the world! Jamie was an amazing person who gave so much of herself to others. Rest In Peace Jamie.

August 26, 2017

Diane and Jim

My brother Tom Meuleman shared the news of the passing of Jamie. My heartfelt thoughts go out to you both. I loved the pictures of Jamie, your beloved daughter and a teacher who made a difference in so many lives of her students and fellow teachers. As a retired 1st grade teacher I was happy to make a contribution to CWC Silver Lake in her memory.

Fondly,
Ann Meuleman Jendryk

Wharon

August 26, 2017

I didn't know Jamie. I stumbled upon her obituary accidentally. I'm writing simply because my nephew's young life ended two months ago due to an overdose, and that grief is still palpable. Thank you for your efforts to remove the stigma of this terrible disease by acknowledging it in Jamie's obituary. It is only through this openness and honesty that we can begin, as a Nation, to address the needs of those who suffer from addiction. May you always remember your daughter's strengths and beauty and the impact she had in ths world.

Marion McMichael

August 26, 2017

Jim, Diane, Sam and Riley,
I am so,so sorry for the tragic loss of your precious daughter and sister. Words seem inadequate to express the sadness I feel, or to ease your pain. Although I did not know Jamie personally , I felt like I did know her as Jim would share his love for his family and share great tales of the children growing up with his surgery family. From all I have read Jamie was an exceptional young women, talented, compassionate and loved by all she knew. Her legacy will live on in all who's lives she touched. Rest In Peace Jamie. Love Marion

Andrew Chiodo

August 26, 2017

Jamie's laugh and smile were defining characteristics of her beautiful spirit. She was a star on our team for so many reasons and her presence meant so much to us during those long hours in the pool. Our sincerest condolences to the Mackin family. We send you our love and will cherish the memories of our wonderful friend.

Andrew & Holly Chiodo

August 26, 2017

Jim and Diane, My heart is breaking for you and your family at this time. What a beautiful daughter ! I remember when she worked in the OR as an aide for a short time and she would often come in my office and sit in the blue recliner and visit with me. She was such a sweet girl. You have both made an impact on my life as well. I empathize especially right now, as I went thru this same thing with my oldest son just 3 years ago. It is extremely difficult ! try to remember the good times and what an impact she had on many lives. God Bless you all. Bonnie Coons (surgery scheduling)

Bonnie Rokeach

August 26, 2017

A beautiful lady taken far too soon from her loving family. I am
Heartbroken for you and think of all of you every day. May the
Memories of her strengths and of her life bring you some measure
of comfort.
Bonnie Rokeach

Blair Schoolhouse

August 25, 2017

Jamie:

You were a good and beautiful person. I will never forget your beautiful smile and how gracious you were towards others. You will always have a special place in my heart forever. Rest in peace my sweet Jamie.

-Blair

Charlotte Haefner

August 25, 2017

My deepest condolences to Jamie's family. I had the pleasure of co-teaching with Jamie on occasion years ago and what I remember so vividly was her ability to create community, peace and love in her classrroom with all of her students . It is an innate gift, to be able to sense when community building and trust , friendship and honor need to supersede any academic lesson going on in the moment based on observation and a keen intuition- and Jamie had this skill hands down. She connected with people so easily - myself included - and was a fun-loving, talented and bright shooting star that so very sadly and unbelievably shone bright for only this short time here with us. I'm still in disbelief that she is gone. Again, my thoughts are with her family during this difficult time. Rest In Peace dear Jamie. The world was a better place with you in it.

August 25, 2017

My deepest sympathies for your loss please know that God is aware of your pain and wants to bring you comfort phillipean 4:6,7.

August 25, 2017

Jim and family,
My heart and prayers are with you.
Kathleen Mullally Lechon

Kathy Norton

August 25, 2017

Jamie, you and I had great laughs and a connection from the day we met. We always avoided displaying level 3 behavior, lol. I really struggle even grasping this and how someone as lovely as you can have moved on. I know you are at peace lovely Jamie. My sincere condolences to the entire Mackin family, I am so sorry for your loss. She was a wonderful girl and will always be remembered with love and laughter.

Amber Valletta

August 25, 2017

Jamie I will always remember your laughter and sweet smile. Your tender heart and integrity of spirit will always be an inspiration. I feel so grateful to have been a part of your journey. I'm terribly sad for all of us who loved you so very much. May God bless you and keep you. My sincere condolences to the Mackin family. I love you Jame and always will.

Martha Ophir

August 25, 2017

Sending love, condolences and comfort to all of Jamie's family and loved ones. I lived at Magnolia Place in Los Angeles with Jamie in 2007-08 during one of the most difficult times in my life. Jamie was a ray of light and helped me more than I can describe. She brought so much joy, strength, energy and humor to everyday life. She was a friend to all in the house, a great cook, a guide in recovery, an inspiration. I don't think I every saw her in a bad mood or left her presence without a smile. She moved through difficult times with immense grace and warmth, always thinking of others. Love you Jamie, I believe you have found peace at last.

Steve Mintz

August 25, 2017

AJim and Diane I'm so sorry.. I remember Jim's stories of Jamie as a16 year old driver. It made him go bald. A terrible loss way to soon. My prayers are with your family..

Steve Mintz

Don Callely

August 25, 2017

Dearest Dearest Jamie!!! RIP Sweetpea!

My deepest condolences to her parents and siblings.

Jamie saw Snowbird on my jacket at a meeting so we talked...turns out we graduated from Judge 30 years apart! Jamie became the daughter I never had. So funny, great sense of humor. My heart is so broken...nothing +can compare to the loss her parents feel of course...but close. Her laugh, smile and heart were infectious!! I love the picture of her in the red Hawaiian dress with all the little kids for Hawaii day!

Words cannot describe the black hole this leaves...not only in me but all us who knew her in Los Angeles recovery. We will miss Jamie so much.

Don Callely
Los Angeles

Kate McCracken

August 25, 2017

Jonathan Howe

August 25, 2017

Jamie, you and your family had a strong impact on my life. Those were amazing times; growing up together, and being raised on the pool deck of the Fort! You were a magical influence in my life. May you be at peace, and be a strong reminder for all of those who suffer with addiction.

In the classroom

Jim Mackin

August 25, 2017

Volcano in Guatemala

Jim Mackin

August 25, 2017

Dude Ranch

Jim Mackin

August 25, 2017

Teaching as "Cat in the Hat"

Jim Mackin

August 25, 2017

That smile

Jim Mackin

August 25, 2017

Teaching as Madeline

Jim Mackin

August 25, 2017

Jim Mackin

August 25, 2017

With Uncle Tom and Riley

Jim Mackin

August 25, 2017

Jim Mackin

August 25, 2017

Cousins

Jim Mackin

August 25, 2017

Pepperdine Graduation

Jim Mackin

August 25, 2017

Stacy Gerowitz

August 24, 2017

Jamie tutored my daughter many years ago, the school year before she began with Citizens. She was welcomed in our home every week, having a mug of tea with us before each tutoring session. We all just knew great things were to come for Jamie. I was so very saddened to read the terrible news of her passing. She was so well loved and admired.

May her memory be a blessing to her family and all who knew her.

Marilyn Corbett

August 24, 2017

Jim and Diane, my heart aches for you. I will always remember Jamie's beautiful smile. With much love,
Marilyn

August 24, 2017

RIP Jamie, such a Gentle, Loving, Open-Hearted Woman. I didn't have to know her long to know this about her. It was the essence of the light and energy that exuded from her each time our paths crossed. Mijn oprechte medeleven aan de familie.
~ilyade & oya

Rob G

August 24, 2017

Our son was in Jamie's first grad class a few years ago. She quickly shot onto the list of his favorite people where she remains. Her unbridled enthusiasm mentioned here was evident everyday in her classroom. Her love for the children in her class was so genuine and given so easily. Our family is heartbroken but also so thankful that we knew Jamie and she touched our child so profoundly. Our thoughts are with her family, friends and loved ones.

2005 Acura Bike Ride with Jamie.

Lesli Laiola

August 24, 2017

RIP My Dear Jamie. I love you always. We will all miss you. You were my favorite riding companion. I will cherish those and many other wonderful memories forever.
Love, Lessie

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Memorial Events
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Aug

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Celebration of Life

6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Starks Funeral Parlor

3651 South 900 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84106

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Starks Funeral Parlor

3651 South 900 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84106

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