In the 11 days between Mrs. McCains death on July 31 and her funeral, her path into the next world, said friends, was strewn with bountiful bouquets celebrating 63 years of married life, her 3 children, her late husband Charles, and her bulging portfolio of civic accomplishments as the rare City Hall activist who is praised by foe as well as friend.
Her Contributions
Heartfelt eloquence measuring her personal and public accomplishments arrived in abundance at the church. It was distributed among 7 eulogists. Four of the 5 City Council members paid tribute to her Friday night or Saturday, and two of them spoke at the funeral Mass. They had been chosen by Mrs. McCain, as had the others.
Mayor Alan Corlins composure slipped partway through his remembrance as he described the uncommon breadth of Mrs. McCains visible contribution to Culver City.
You could hardly step outside your home or office in Culver City and not see her handiwork, he said. From the design of the Senior Center to the redesign of Washington Boulevard, from the Downtown projects and improvements to the location of the Skateboard Park, Jackie helped shape this city.
The Greatest Generation
City Councilman Steve Rose said that Mrs. McCain was the feminine face of Tom Brokaws Greatest Generation that flourished from mid-century on.
One of Mrs. McCains most treasured friends was Carol Gustin. The Culver City Homeowners Assn. was the engine that nourished their friendship in the beginning.
She was the conscience of Culver City, Ms. Gustin said. Jackie made a difference. Jackie had wisdom and courage, the wisdom to choose the right way to do things, the courage to speak out when others feared to appear out of the mainstream.
Jackie made an imprint on our lives, and certainly on the life of our city.
Poring Over Documents
Then Ms. Gustin alluded to a practice that those who knew her friend less well will file away in their memory banks. Jackie read every environmental impact report, negative declaration, notice of preparation, proposed city ordinance, Ms. Gustin said. She understood the effects the proposals would have on city residents. She presented her findings to the appropriate decision-making body.
Jackie spent a lifetime with her partner and husband, over 60 years. She and Charles worked hard to see that Culver City remained the warm, inviting community it had been for her family.
Jackie was a role model for her children and for her friends. She loved many people, and she was loved by so many.
None of us who knew her will ever approach challenges without wondering, what would Jackie do?
Ms. Gustin said that Mr. McCain, who died last February, went ahead to prepare a place for her.
Back to the 1960s
Councilman Rose said his history with Mrs. McCain spans his adult life. I have known Jackie for almost 40 years, he said. In the early years, Jackie and I were on different sides. But we always respected each other. It was not personal.
Over the years, we grew to know each other. As we understood each others thoughts, we saw that caring for Culver City was what ran deepest for both of us.
Jackie McCain was part of what Tom Brokaw designated as the Greatest Generation. She married a soldier. She raised a family of great children. She took care of them. When they grew up and became successful, she turned her efforts to our city.
The lesson I take from Jackie is that leadership is not a title. Leadership is someone who can steer others in a specific direction, toward a goal, Mr. Rose continued. .
A Soft-Spoken Lesson
Jackie never yelled. She made you listen to what she was saying. Jackie never asked government to help her find out what was wrong with government. She came from a generation that believed if you had a concern, you went out and researched it yourself.
No one in Culver Citys history has reads more environmental impact reports and sent in more corrections than Jackie.
If there is one legacy of Jackies that I have learned and it is only in the last week or two it is to speak a little more quietly, to make people listen a little more closely.
Hopefully, then, Mr. Rose said, they will understand where we want to go as a city and as a nation. If that lives on, Jackie will have been a teacher to thousands of people.
Intertwining Life with City Hall
Following Mr. Rose and Ms. Gustin, Mayor Corlin said that I feel like a newcomer. I have only known Jackie for 20 years.
From a city point of view, Jackie was one of the most knowledgeable planners the city never hired. She was someone both staff and our neighbors could count on to give truly sage advice. She was an advocate, an agent for positive change.
She influenced her community and her friends in a very positive and constructive way.
She was a mentor. Jackie was not just an active community member. She encouraged others to do the same. She taught by example and by words how to be a true advocate of community involvement.
Her Skills Never Ebbed
Jackie was an inspiration. From the first moment I met her until the last time I saw her, just a short while ago, she was sharp, thoughtful, challenging and forceful.
She kept me on my toes. She challenged without ever offending.
At this point, Mr. Corlin briefly was overcome before resuming
She led without ever patronizing, he said. She donated her time and energy, and she didnt care about credit.
New Duties in Heaven
You know, I dont know too much about heaven or what its like.
But I do know one thing: If St. Peter ever decides to remodel the Pearly Gates, Jackie is the one to look over the environmental impact report.
Mrs. McCain was buried in Holy Cross Cemetery.
