Jacqueline Freeman Van Orsdale

Jacqueline Freeman Van Orsdale, 98, of Cochranville, passed away peacefully at her home on Friday, September 17, 2021. She was the beloved wife — “Jacqueline, girl of mine” — of the late Daniel Lynn Van Orsdale who died in 2011. Together they lived in Cochranville for 20 years, and before that, Greensboro, NC. 

They shared 63 exquisite years of marriage, and over those years, you might have heard Dan say, “you can have anything of mine but my wife,” and if you knew her, you’d know why he said that. Because to know Jackie was to understand that no material possession matters if you don’t have a companion with whom you can share it. 

To know her was to know that an impeccable sense of humor and a bold red lip are absolute necessities. You would also know that hot dogs, cookies, and coffee are the unspoken secrets of growing older. You would have quickly been taught to mind your hem; cuff your sweater sleeves; starch & iron out wrinkles (Niagara works best for this.) You would have also observed that if you’re going to sing a hymn about praising “all the day long,” you better keep your end of that promise. 

But most importantly, to know Jackie was to know a love, a safety, and a sense of being home that so closely resembled that of Jesus. Her innate inclination to nurture was her lifelong ministry, and was stronger than any earthly impediment that tried to get in her way. 

Jacqueline was born in Macon, Georgia, and was the daughter of the late John Andrew Freeman and Alice Kinder Freeman. She is survived by one daughter; Lynn V., wife of David A. Brown of Atglen and four grandchildren; Amanda Joy Brown of Philadelphia, Joseph Wyatt Brown of Atglen, Daniel Elliot Brown of Pittsburgh and Eliza Gayle Brown of Atglen. She was preceded in death by two children; Daniel Scott Van Orsdale and Patricia Gayle Van Orsdale and three brothers; John Keith Freeman, J. Andrew Freeman and Donald Hope Freeman.

Her brothers and mother were often the root of her favorite stories to tell — stories that typically ended in tears of laughter and thinking to oneself, “I hope I never forget that story.” There would come a point in her stories when the laughter would become far too intense to continue; you might not have heard the end of the story but the laughter made the ending complete. The same could be said of Jackie’s life: the ending became blurred, and the details somehow didn’t matter much anymore, but the laughter and the joy and the absolutely infectious wit made you think to yourself, “I hope I never forget her story.” 

Celebration of Life Services will be held on Friday, October 1, 2021 at 11:00 AM at the Stillwaters Presbyterian Church, 643 Coatesville Rd, West Grove, PA 19390 followed by inurnment at the Faggs Manor Presbyterian Cemetery, Cochranville, PA. Visitation will be held at the church from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Wilde Funeral Home of Parkesburg, PA.  
Online condolences can be posted at www.wildefuneralhome.com