In Memory of Our Founder Jackie
Jackie Mabel Trotter Dove lived a life of profound purpose and boundless compassion. Her extraordinary journey was anchored by four unwavering pillars: Faith, Service, Love, and Family. These pillars shaped her legacy and inspired the creation of Paraclete Place.
Faith
Faith was the guiding force in Jackie's life. Following a breast cancer diagnosis in 1995, she sought God's direction and boldly accepted a call to ministry. Earning a Master of Divinity from Hood Theological Seminary and training as a Certified Spiritual Director, she served a decade in the Pastoral Ministry within the United Methodist Church.
Service
Jackie’s dedication to service spanned secular and spiritual realms. After a career as a mathematician and systems engineer for IBM, NASA, and the Department of Defense, she dedicated her life to breast cancer advocacy, helping people dealing with health issues, and advocating for the rights of the underserved.
Love
Jackie’s life is portrayed as one deeply rooted in love, which she expressed through profound empathy, maternal devotion, and spiritual care for others. Jackie used her own painful experiences—including the tragic loss of her twins and her battle with breast cancer—to connect with and love others facing similar crises.
Family
Above all else, Jackie was unconditionally devoted to her family. Blessed with six sons—including her beloved twins Joshua and Jeremiah, whom she tragically lost during childbirth. She was a fierce mother who raised her children to believe they could achieve anything with God at the helm.
The Vision for Paraclete Place
Jackie's own battle with breast cancer opened her eyes to the critical need for a holistic approach to healing. Recognizing the immense financial and emotional burden placed on patients traveling long distances for care, she founded Paraclete Place in 2012. Her vision was to offer cancer survivors and their families a safe environment to transition from treatment to full physical, emotional, and spiritual wellness. Paraclete Place provides comfortable, short-term accommodations with a firm promise: "ability to pay will not keep anyone away."