Jackie Kugelman passed away peacefully on Friday, August 14, 2026, and it is with broken hearts and immeasurable love that we remember and celebrate her.

Jackie was a devoted mother, cherished grandmother lovingly known as “Mimi”, treasured sister and aunt, and dear friend to so many.

She was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Jack and Jane Kugelman; her aunt, Marsha Fink; and her beloved nephew, William McMahon.

She is survived by her three daughters, Jane Lauter (Pete), Ferrill Sessions (Rob), and Beth Jones (Reese); and her six grandchildren, Jack and Sabel Lauter, Carter and Sadie Sessions, and Addison and Oliver Jones, who were truly among the greatest joys of her life. She is also survived by her sisters, Marcy Kugelman, Janet Kugelman, and Nancy McSweeney (Jack); her sister-in-love, Beth Jarrett (Mark); and many nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly.

Following in her father’s footsteps, she was also a devoted member of the Kugelman Family Foundation, carrying forward a tradition of generosity and service. Among her many involvements throughout the years, she was presented as a debutante in 1979, served as Queen of Fiesta in 1980, helped fundraise to open Gulf Coast Kids House, and served on many philanthropic boards. She treasured the friendships, traditions, and memories that came from a lifetime spent in Pensacola.

Jackie was beautiful, not only in appearance, but in the way she lived her life. She loved people fiercely, generously, and without condition. If Jackie loved you, you knew it. She never made you question where you stood with her. She showed up. She remembered. She celebrated. She encouraged. She made room for one more. She found a way to make people feel special, and she gave so much of herself to the people she loved.

Her larger-than-life spirit could light up any room, and she knew how to make a simple occasion extra fun. Jackie lived with a heart full of love, a spirit full of adventure, and a soul full of sunshine. She loved to travel, experience new places, make memories, laugh until it hurt, and bring others along for the joy of it.

But of all the roles Jackie held throughout her life, none meant more to her than being a mother and Mimi. Her daughters were her heart, and the bond she shared with each of them was extraordinary. Then came her grandchildren, and somehow her enormous heart grew even bigger. She loved them with every part of herself. Their joys were her joys, their accomplishments were hers to celebrate, and simply being with them was one of her greatest treasures.

Jackie gave her family something that will remain long after her lifetime: the absolute certainty of knowing they were loved.

She loved unconditionally, and was deeply loved.

Our family is profoundly grateful to Dr. Brown and the entire team at the Sacred Heart Cancer Center, who cared for Jackie with extraordinary compassion, kindness, and love throughout her journey. We are equally grateful to the VITAS Hospice team, who surrounded Jackie and our family with tenderness and dignity in her final days, and to the remarkable circle of family and friends who prayed for her, laughed with her, cared for her, and helped keep that beautiful smile shining even on the hardest days.

Jackie leaves behind a legacy that cannot be measured by accomplishments or possessions. Her legacy lives in people. It lives in her daughters, her grandchildren, her family, her friendships, and in every person fortunate enough to have been loved by her.

She will be forever missed, forever celebrated, and forever loved.

Rest peacefully, beautiful. We will carry your love, your laughter, and your sunshine with us always.

A Memorial Service will be held 1:00pm Wednesday, August 19, 2026, at Temple Beth El in Pensacola, FL. A reception will immediately follow, downstairs in the Social Hall from 2:00pm-3:00pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations in Jackie’s memory to two organizations especially meaningful to her: Sacred Heart Cancer Center https://support.givesacredheart.org/campaign/696694/donate or to Nonie’s Place https://noniesplace.org/make-a-gift-2/