Scottsdale, Arizona - Jackie Rae (Atkerson) Drinkwater, beloved wife of the late Mayor Herb Drinkwater of Scottsdale, and mother of daughter Jamie, and son Mark, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 15, 2020 in Scottsdale at the age of 83 following a long battle with Alzheimers Disease.

Jackie was the First Lady of Scottsdale from 1980 to 1996. She and her high school sweetheart "Herbie" were married for 38 years until his death in 1997.

Jackie was born in Phoenix at St. Joseph's hospital 1937 and attended Emmerson Elementary School and North High School where she met her future husband and love of her life, Herb "Herbie" Drinkwater.

After high school she attended Arizona State University graduating early with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education. While at ASU, Jackie made lifelong friends, later they all called themselves "the girlfriends", during the time she was a resident in the "all girls" West Hall dormitory, which still stands in the University's quadrangle.

She pledged Gamma Phi Beta sorority and loved it's activities like participating in the Tempe Float Contest, Gamma Phi's "Out of this World Follies", retreats, the Greek sing competition and all the fun dorm gatherings.

Being a member of ASU's Pom Pom Squad was a highlight for her and she enthusiastically enjoyed cheering on the the Sun Devil's football team and rousing the crowd.

While still a student, she worked on the ballot initiative campaign supporting the name change that was waged by those attending Arizona State College when it became Arizona State University in 1958. That same year, she served as secretary of the Junior Class and was chosen by her peers as Homecoming Queen during Western Week.

After graduation she held her first job as an elementary school teacher, teaching first grade at Tonalea in the Scottsdale Unified School District. Over 30 years later, teaching in the District at different grade levels, she finished her teaching career at Cocopah Elementary school in the fourth grade pod. Her dearest teaching companions of that time, Myron Marsh, Rae Kains, Helene Zeeveld, Jolene (Olsen) Drinkwater (her sister-in law) and Jeanne Woodrum all loved teaching and supporting each other both at the school and outside the classroom.

Myron Marsh, whom she called by the nickname "My", called Jackie " a stellar teacher and all the students liked her." Jolene Drinkwater stated "Jackie was a great team mate. She more than did her share of the work and was fast on her feet and able to roll with the punches. She was very generous with her time; sometimes as a team teaching unit we had to coordinate unexpectedly on planning, schedules and the like. She did a thorough job on curriculum planning and writing, doing great research on our science and social studies units, which we developed ourselves."

Many scottsdale students over the years have talked about how much they loved Mrs. Drinkwater as a teacher. Exclaiming, "She was my favorite teacher and made each student feel special and well loved". And "It was due to having Mrs. Drinkwater as a teacher that I knew I always wanted to be a teacher."

When Jackie married Herb in 1960 they moved to Cholla and Scottsdale Road and purchased a Knoell Ranch style home. There, they raised Jamie and Mark and were custodians of several horses, a pony, goats, rabbits, chickens, a donkey and a calf. It was a busy time at the Drinkwater home.

It was during this time that they purchased a package liquor store at Scottsdale Road and Shea Boulevard which became the Drinkwater's Liquor and Cheese establishment with its famous drive-thru window where Herb would give every patron a bag of ice and toss bazooka bubble gum to the kids!

Herb would work the store and Jackie would take care of the "books". From this retail beginning, Herb would forge the basis of his support with residents and other business owners in the area to run for public office. First as a City Councilman for two terms then as Mayor of Scottsdale for 16 years.

Jackie was always by his side as a wife, companion, and helpmate. Her beauty, poise, graciousness, and genuine kindness stood her in good stead as Scottsdale's First Lady.

She was a volunteer and member of the Scottsdale Indian Arts Council back in the day and a founding member of The Scottsdale Charwomen. After her retirement from teaching, she was active with the Creative Women of Pinnacle Peak.

Herb and Jackie were Sunday School Teachers at The Church of the Beatitudes in Phoenix in the 70's where they also participated in a mission trip to Mexico with the students. They were also founding members of the Congregational Church of the Valley in Scottsdale on Shea Boulevard and 120th St.

Their summers were spent in the 1000 Islands of upstate New York boating on the St. Lawrence River with family and close friends on both sides of the border. They were "River Rats" at heart.

Jackie is survived by her daughter Jamie Drinkwater Stockton (Dick) of Carefree, AZ, son Mark Drinkwater, Scottsdale, AZ, Grandchildren, Bryce and Kelsie Buchanan, of Carefree, AZ. Extended family members include the children of her brother Philip who predeceased her, Debbie Atkerson Bielek, Kelly Atkerson Wallerstadt, and Flip Atkerson as well as her sister in laws Barbara Drinkwater Inderlied, Lois Drinkwater Thompson and Jolene Drinkwater.

Jackie was preceded in death by her parents Margaret (Shannon) and Jack Atkerson of Phoenix and brother Philip Atkerson of Tempe.

Jackie will be remembered for her graciousness, kindness, natural beauty and stately poise and as a loving wife and mother. Her beautiful piercing blue eyes were stunning and shined ever so brightly.

The memorial service is private.

Donations in memory of Jackie can be made to McDowell Sonoran Conservancy, 8175 E. Evans Rd., #12817 Scottsdale, AZ 85260(480-998-7971) McDowellsonoran.org

Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower St., Phoenix, AZ 85014, HOV.ORG