Jacqueline M. Bartels, a Toledo educator who was adept at teaching elementary students of diverse abilities, died Feb. 13 at home in Sylvania Township. She was 81.

She had vascular dementia, a condition diagnosed in 2017, and recently had a stroke, her daughter Ainslee Jones said.

Mrs. Bartels concluded her 32-year career with Toledo Public Schools in 1998, retiring from Harvard Elementary School.

“She didn’t get easily excited,” said Judy Cattran, a friend since they were fifth graders at Harvard, who also became a teacher.

“She was calm, and she liked working with kids, and she had a kindness and a calmness about her,” Mrs. Cattran said Tuesday.

Mrs. Bartels began her career at Walbridge School, where she taught first grade for eight years. Afterward, she taught reading at Lincoln School and kindergarten, first, and second grades at Riverside School. At Mount Vernon School, she taught first grade and was the gifted teacher for two years. At Beverly School, she taught kindergarten and, for a year, sixth grade.

During eight years at Fulton School, 1986-94, she taught kindergarten, second grade, and sixth grade.

“She just had compassion for those children who were coming from homes that didn’t have enough,” Mrs. Jones said. 

She felt a kinship with students who had learning disabilities, having dealt with such challenges herself, Mrs. Jones added.

She was born Nov. 3, 1941, to Charlotte and Jim Starner and grew up on Circular Road in South Toledo. Dance and competitive gymnastics were pursuits through college. She was 6 years old when she first performed with Toledo Junior Ballet. Mrs. Cattran recalled watching her work out on the balance beams at the South Toledo YMCA.

“She was good, and she enjoyed it,” Mrs. Cattran said.

She was a 1959 graduate of Libbey High School, where she was a member of the Rhythmettes, a modern dance group. She also was a gymnast with the Toledo affiliate of the American Turners.

She received a bachelor’s degree in education in 1963 from Miami University. 

She made a point to see the world, from camping trips as her children were growing up to a 50th wedding anniversary journey to Australia and New Zealand with her husband, Al.

“When she started teaching at Walbridge Elementary, she saved up her money after her first year and took a monthlong trip to Europe,” Mrs. Cattran said.

Mrs. Bartels went with a tour group but saw the sights on her own.

“She was kind of shy and quiet. She wasn’t the kind of person you’d expect would rush around doing that kind of thing,” Mrs. Cattran said.

Mrs. Bartels was a longtime supporter of P.E.O., an international group that helps women with education opportunities, in part through scholarships. She’s also been active in the American Association of University Women and the Ohio Retired Teachers Association.

“It was important for her to show up for other people and be involved in the community and support other women,” Mrs. Jones said.

After teaching herself to sew, Mrs. Bartels made clothing for her children and herself. She liked to bake, and family and friends looked forward to her bread and rolls, her Christmas cut-out cookies, and especially her pies.

“Apple pie, rhubarb pie, mincemeat pie,” Mrs. Jones said. “Those are her top three. She made a really good pumpkin pie.”

“Any pie she made, it was all about her pie crust,” said Mrs. Jones, who has learned the secrets — the butter; the cold water added gradually.

Mrs. Bartels was known for her caring and her unexpected, yet apt, witty remarks.

“You never knew what she was going to say, and when she said it, you were sure to laugh,” Mrs. Jones said.

Mrs. Cattran said: “She was very easy to know. She was what a friend is supposed to be, there for you when they’re needed.”

Mrs. Bartels sang in the choirs of Park Congregational Church and First Unitarian Church of Toledo.

Surviving are her husband, Albert Bartels, whom she married May 21, 1965; son, Robert Bartels; daughters Adrienne Gathy and Ainslee Jones, and nine grandchildren.

Friends will be received from 4-7 p.m. Thursday at the Walker Funeral Home, Sylvania Township, where funeral services will begin at 1 p.m. Friday.

The family suggests tributes to Cottey College, a college for women in Nevada, Mo., that has been owned and supported by P.E.O. since 1927, according to the group’s website.

First Published February 22, 2023, 5:00 a.m.