Jackie was born in Dublin, Ireland, coming to Canada in 1954. She lived in Ottawa until getting married in 1971. She and her husband lived in Fort Churchill Manitoba for a time before moving back to Ottawa. In 1973 they moved to Smiths Falls Ontario where they settled down and  raised their three children.

Jackie has always had a love of art and anything creative. She takes inspiration from her surroundings, whether it be from around her home or her travels. Her first love is working in watercolours but she has also works in acrylics, charcoal and pastels as well as having done paintings on silk. She is constantly upgrading her skills through participation in workshops and working with other artists.