Holiday marred by death
posted: tuesday, dec 26, 2006 - 12:42:37 am est
by andrea howe
editor, the daily clarion
francisco-her husband, two sons and family pet escaped from the flames, but jacqueline michelle (pickett) mcavoy died early christmas morning in her home, which was consumed by fire.
mcavoy's mother, karen pickett, said her 35-year-old daughter perished in the fire at the century-old house at the corner of cr675e and cr475s.
pickett said fire investigators told her that a new computer mcavoy got for christmas could be the source of the tragedy for her family.
pickett's daughter, son-in-law jason and grandsons william jack, age 13, and daniel jason christopher, age 9, made it out of the house when jason awoke to flames and smoke. her son-in-law came running to her nearby home calling for help, then ran back to his home. he was treated for burns to both arms, said pickett.
her daughter had stayed up very late, talking to a friend and leaving a telephone message christmas greeting for her brother in virginia. “she was working with some crafts and asked jason to check on the boys,” said pickett.
pickett said her son-in-law fell asleep with the grandchildren and her daughter apparently fell asleep in the room where the computer was hooked up.
“there's no more christmas for me,” said pickett. “not after this. she lost a baby, joseph gabriel, in 2001. on dec. 29 it will be five years. at least we know now she'll be with her baby.”
pickett said the family ate together christmas eve and talked about opening presents, but jacqueline wanted to wait until christmas day.
“she called me that night and asked me if she could have a ruby ring that belonged to her grandmother. ruby is her birthstone. i told her i'd give it to her the next day. now i'm putting it in the casket.”
pickett said her daughter graduated from wood memorial high school in 1989 and served in the u.s. air force.
she helped her father, jack pickett, organize and conduct a giant rummage sale that raised thousands of dollars for the princeton police dept. a few years ago.
jacqueline and her husband had been married for 16 years. the family is staying with the picketts after the fire.
in addition to her husband and children, she is survived by her parents, a brother james, and three sisters, crystal, tammy and lisa.