Jacqueline Mensching Garn

Jacqueline Mensching Garn (1926–2026)passed away on February 10, 2026, in Lakewood Ranch, Florida, at the age of 99.

Born Vera Jacqueline Shaffer on September 5, 1926, in Mount Rainier, Maryland, Jacqueline graduated from Bard-Avon College in Baltimore. In 1945, she married Morgan Mensching, beginning a life together that spanned 61years.

In 1962, Jacqueline began her career at Commonwealth National Bank in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. She rose through the ranks to become the bank's first woman Senior Vice President of the Trust Department, retiring as a pioneer for women in finance.

Jacqueline moved to Cape Coral, Florida, in 1980, where she was active in the Cape Coral Country Club, the Lexington Country Club, and the Lee County Women's Tennis League. For the last 20 years, she resided at Lake House West in Sarasota, where she founded the Lake House West Bocce Club, fostering community and competition among her neighbors. To keep active in her 80's she worked part time for her daughter, Joan Morgan, at Dream Weaver on St Armand's Circle.

Following the passing of her first husband, Morgan, Jacqueline married Ken Garn in 2008. Ken passed away two years later.

Jacqueline's legacy is carried on by her two daughters, Joan McKeon Morgan and Jane Druce, her four grandsons, Eric Seace, Josh Druce, Jon Druce, and Robert Jr.; and her three great-grandchildren, Evan Seace, Emerson and Eliza Druce and step great grand children, George and Caroline Druce. She was preceded in death by her son, Robert, and her husbands, Morgan Mensching and Ken Garn.

Jacqueline will be remembered as a woman who broke glass ceilings with the same grace she brought to her roles as a mother, grandmother, athlete, and leader.

A memorial service will be held at the Church of the Palms, 3224 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota, FL 34239, on February 28th at 1:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jacqueline's memory to the American Heart Association or to the Church of the Palms.