Jacqulyn “Jackie” Ann Marie McCrate Storm, born January 3rd, 1964, went to heaven on September 22nd, 2024. Jackie was a proud nurse of 40 years, most of which were spent in the Intensive Care Unit. She was inspired to join the profession by her own mother, Anna Mae, also a RN. Her father, Paul McCrate, was a funeral director and pillar of the community in Ottawa, Ohio. She admired her parents for how they cared for people in hard times. Jackie’s friends and colleagues at Advent Hospital (formerly Shawnee Mission Hospital) describe her as a leader, a mentor, an advocate and deep nurturer of her patients. Jackie was a lifelong adventurer.
She was passionate about travel, nature, exploring, and physical activity. Brad and Jackie embarked on epic adventures including hiking Machu Picchu, the Grand Canyon and the Swiss Alps. She was the family vacation planner, trekking them across the globe, perfecting every itinerary to maximize fun and adventure and exposing her children to different cultures and worldviews. Jackie was an exceptional mother, friend, aunt, sister, and grandmother. She had an incredible sense of humor and attracted friends who shared it. She loved to take long walks in the woods with friends where they’d talk, laugh, and cry. She was a deeply authentic person who remained curious. She read the newspaper every morning (including the obituaries) and cheered for the Kansas City Chiefs even from her hospital bed. Jackie was an inspiring mother who modeled kindness, a strong work ethic, and self-respect. She was an active grandma, known to her grandchildren as “Ma’am” because Hadley couldn’t pronounce the intended name of “Gram.” The family joked that she led “Ma’am’s Montessori Preschool” for the girls which included activities such as nature walks at the arboretum, picking blueberries, feeding baby goats at Deanna Rose farmstead or selecting books at the library.
Jackie lived a rich and fulfilling life while battling breast cancer three times. Jackie modeled resilience, strength, and perseverance for everyone who knew her. She knew that tomorrow is not guaranteed, and she recognized that there must be darkness for light to exist. She will be deeply missed but the legacy of her character will live through all of those that she touched. Jackie is survived by her husband, Brad Storm, her brother and sister: Lisa Salsburey and Scott McCrate, her nephews: Justin Salsburey, Corin McCrate and Kyle McCrate, her children: Conor Storm, Kaelin
Storm and Kyra Storm Hood and her grandchildren: Hadley and Maya Hood. She joins her nephew, Brent Salsburey, in heaven. Jackie’s celebration of life will be held November 1st at the Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens in the LongHouse Visitor Center. Guests are welcome to drop by between 5-9 pm with programming beginning at 6pm. There will also be a celebration in Ottawa, Ohio in the spring. If you would like to share photos, memories, or stories about Jackie’s life with the family, please email them to memories.of.jackie1034@gmail.com. Jackie’s celebration of life will be held November 1st at the Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens in the LongHouse Visitor Center. Guests are welcome to drop by between 5-9 pm with programming beginning at 6pm. There will also be a celebration in Ottawa, Ohio in the spring.
