Jacqueline Elizabeth Ann Arcaris

Epilogue Jacqueline ""Jax"" Elizabeth Ann Arcaris was lifted to heaven at the age of 40 at 1:22 a.m. on February 8, 2012. She left this world exactly how she wanted; at her home in Denver Colorado, at peace, surrounded by family and friends. She lived life fully and adventurously, even when she was dealing with breast cancer. Jax inspired people near and far with her zest for life. She was born on December 28, 1971 in Los Angeles, California to Susan Lio Arcaris and George Joseph Arcaris, Jr. She is survived by her husband, Richard Britton Thomas, her mother Susan Lio Arcaris, her brother George Joseph Arcaris III, sister in law Christine Edwards Arcaris, and three nieces, Juliet Noel Arcaris, Sarah Susan Arcaris and Catherine Lucinda Arcaris. Jacqueline is a graduate of Pasadena Polytechnic High School in Pasadena, California where she received the headmaster's award for the student who best embodied the qualities of the school. In addition, she was elected the Girl's Service League president her senior year. Jacqueline attended Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana where she became a member of the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. She was actively involved in the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), serving as the ASCE student chapter president for two years. She graduated from Purdue in 1995 earning her Bachelor's of Science (B.S.) in Civil Engineering After graduation, Jacqueline began working in the oil industry, gaining experience as a field engineer, spending 4 years in the oil fields of Texas and Louisiana. While working in this male dominated industry, she found great success in her ability to earn the respect of those around her. In 2000 she decided to pursue her love for the outdoors and she moved to Colorado where she would soon meet the love of her life. Jacqueline met Britton in the Rose Bowl area at Beaver Creek Ski Resort on St Patrick's Day in 2001. She married Britton on May 14, 2005 in Estes Park, Colorado. Jacqueline and Britton shared an ardent love of the outdoors and they accomplished more adventures in their 11 years together than many do in an entire lifetime. While in Colorado, Jacqueline spent 12 years as a professional civil engineer, focusing in water resources planning, environmental engineering, and project management. Jacqueline was known in the industry for her energetic, supportive and professional leadership. She focused on providing clients and colleagues alike with positive experiences and quality services. Jacqueline became a Licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.) in the state of Colorado in 2008. Throughout her career, Jacqueline continued to be a leader within the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) in Colorado and the Purdue Alumni club. She helped establish the Colorado ASCE younger members group, serving as president of the group. Jacqueline then served as the Colorado Section Treasurer and a Region 7 Governor for the Region Board of ASCE. She was also active in the Purdue Club of Colorado and served as the Treasurer since 2006. Jacqueline was full of life and loved new experiences and adventures. Some of her favorite activities included telemark and alpine skiing, hiking and backpacking, climbing ""14'ers"" (14, 000 foot mountains), rock climbing, soccer, volleyball, yoga, plants and gardening, and travelling. Her adventures took her to 4 continents and throughout the United States on hundreds of trips with friends and family. She was passionate about nutrition and dedicated to eating and living in a way that allowed her body to thrive and heal. She focused on living each moment fully and was committed to being emotionally healthy and making genuine connections with the people in her life. Jacqueline loved all art including children's artwork and her famous blue dogs. She was a National Ski Patrol volunteer at Loveland Ski Area and was adored by her friends there. Jacqueline loved animals and children, and they loved her with joy and delight. She was a wonderful friend and made everyone feel as though they were loved and the most important person in the world. We are all better people for having had her in our lives, she will be dearly missed – but we know that she is still with us on every adventure we take. A celebration of Jacqueline's life will be held on Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 2:00 PM at Horan & McConaty, 3101 S. Wadsworth Blvd, Lakewood, CO 80227, with a reception following. A second service will be held at a later date in Pasadena, California. Memorial donations can be made to the following: 1. The Jacqueline (""Jax"") Arcaris Inflammatory Breast Cancer Program International Cancer Advocacy Network (ICAN) 27 West Morten Avenue Phoenix, AZ 85021-7246 www.askican.org/donate Phone: 602-618-0183 Fax: 602-926-8109 JacquelineArcarisProgram@askican.org 2. Mylifeline.org (http://www.mylifeline.org/page.cfm?page=donate) 3. The Colorado Section ASCE (American Society of Civil Engineers) Scholarship Fund Checks made out to ""Colorado Section ASCE"" with memo note ""Jacqueline Arcaris Scholarship Fund"" and sent to Colorado Section ASCE, PO Box 460022, Denver, CO 80246 4. If you would prefer to donate towards the cost of Jax' care, you can direct donations to Britton through the www.mylifeline.org/jax website – look for ""Giving Angels"", it is the 5th button on the green bar at the top of the page (a 2.9% fee is charged by PayPal). Or by mailing checks to Britton at 960 Pennsylvania Street Unit 11, Denver, CO 80203. ""Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming -- WOW--What a Ride!"" – Mark Frost Please share memories and condolences with Jacqueline's family by selecting the ""Sign Guestbook"" button.