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2015 FLORAGRAPH

 JACKIE LERMA BILLINGS

Organ Donor
Age 52 ~ El Cajon, CA
Donated on 02/19/2014
at Sharp Memorial

Sponsored by Lifesharing



Born in England but raised near San Diego, Jackie Lerma Billings was known as someone who could be counted on for hugs and kind advice. Married to Robert Billings, she had three children and three grandchildren. The family knew the importance of donation because Bob had received a kidney from his brother, a living donor. In February 2014, Jackie had been fighting the flu when her condition worsened dramatically. Twelve hours after admission to the hospital on February 17, 2014, she was left brain dead from meningitis. She was 52. It was no surprise that she would continue to help others with her gifts of organs. As her family said, "To be able to give the gift of life to others definitely fit her personality."


Jackie's Story

Jackie Lerma Billings was born with her identical twin sister, Julie, at a U.S. Air Force base in London, England, but came to the U.S. and grew up in the San Diego area. Jackie met the love of her life, Robert (Bob) Billings; the couple had three children and three grandchildren. Jackie spent the rest of her life taking trips with family to Lake Havasu, doing crafts, decorating their home, and gardening. Her grandchildren were the highlights of her life.

In the community, Jackie volunteered for the city every chance she could and was a cheer advisor at the local high school. She became a mother figure to many children with smiles, hugs and kind words of advice, and everyone knew that they could always count on Jackie as a friend. Her Friday morning coffee group was known for trying to solve all of the world's problems. Jackie was well-known in her community as a Starbucks fixture.

In February 2014 at age 52, Jackie had been fighting the flu and an ear infection for several weeks when her condition worsened dramatically. Twelve hours after being admitted to the hospital, she was in a coma - left brain dead from noncontagious meningitis.

Jackie's family was familiar with donation, since Bob had received a kidney from his brother, a living donor, several years earlier. Jackie was able to donate her organs so that others could live.

"To be able give the gift of life to others definitely fit her personality," her family noted. "She knew how much organ donation could mean to someone."