Jackie Drews

Last Monday, March 5th, 25 days short of her 68th birthday, Jackie Drews of Kennesaw formerly of Tucker became yet another victim of breast cancer and the 5 years of debilitating treatments. With her at her passing was her husband of 21 years, Norm Drews and her daughters Cindy Barnes of Kennesaw and Jessica Shirley of Walton. Jackie was a retired Dekalb county teacher at Nancy Creek Elementary in Chamblee and a “Teacher of the Year”. From 1990 to 1996 she and her husband participated in the planning of the 1996 Olympic Games first with the Atlanta Organizing Committee and later AGOG. They were part of the Atlanta team that journeyed to Tokyo, Japan in September of 1990 where Atlanta was awarded the 1996 games at a meeting of the IOC. Throughout their marriage they traveled the world . She was a wonderful representative of America spreading her warmth and charm to many people along the way. Even in the 5 years since her diagnosis and with on-going treatments they traveled to Australia, New Zealand, China, Europe, Hawaii and the western US. Jackie was also a volunteer with the Atlanta Track Club at many Peachtree Road Races and other events. She loved sports and was a consummate Bulldog fan. Besides her husband and daughters she leaves four grandchildren: Drew and Kaylyn Barnes and James and Allison Shirley. A memorial service will be held at Mars Hill Presbyterian Church in Kennesaw on Monday, March 12 at 1100 am. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation in Jackie’s name to Hospice Atlanta, 1244 Park Vista Dr. NE, Atlanta 30319.”