Longtime local Jacqueline “Jackie” Bridgeman was honored at a memorial service on Saturday, March 14, after her passing at the age of 90 in Santa Monica on Jan. 27. According to her godson, Gideon Fountain, Bridgeman was a woman who was not afraid to let you know if she disagreed with you, but was smart enough to know how to back up her argument.
Throughout her life, Bridgeman dated action-oriented men, including a bullfighter, a racecar driver, a homicide detective and a football player. She was married to Paul Weaver before she eventually settled down with Bill Bridgeman who she lived with in Malibu until he died in a plane crash. Bridgeman was a self-described party girl, who had fun, but also dedicated a majority of her life to helping others.
Locals and visitors alike came to the Malibu home of Bridgeman’s grandson, Alexandre Bridgeman, Hazard Ranch (which was formerly owned by Bridgeman herself), to pay their respects.
“Jackie has been very wonderful to the urgent care all these years,” President of the Friends of Malibu Urgent Care Helene Eisenberg shared with The Malibu Times at the service. “She was very liberal and very wonderful with her money and we really appreciate it. She was a very nice person.”
About 50 people attended the service and shared similar sentiments about Bridgeman. Though Bridgeman is locally a household name, she requested before her passing that the service remain intimate and that only close relatives and friends would be invited to attend.
Among those invited was Tim Barry, Bridgeman’s longtime friend and tennis coach, who hosted his wedding at her home. Bridgeman opened her home for many weddings and showers.
“Jackie was the cultural heart of Malibu,” Barry said. “Her dream was to bring culture, as in the Stage Company, to Malibu and she fulfilled her dream and that was one of her great accomplishments.”
Bridgeman was the co-founder of the Malibu Stage Company (later the Malibu Playhouse), one of the many ways she was able to make cultural events readily and locally available. During her years with the company, they put on many productions, including “Light Up the Sky,” “Candide” and “Death of a Salesman.”
Bridgeman purchased Hazard Ranch in Serra Retreat and turned it into a cultural center, hosting readings, concerts and fundraisers. She was received a Dolphin Award from The Malibu Times for her contributions to the community.
Bridgeman lived locally in Malibu for more than 60 years.
She was also a follower of Eastern philosophy and a member of the Vedanta Society. Longtime friend Swami Atmatattwaananda offered a prayer service for those who attended.
Another good friend of Bridgeman, Jim Burroughs, sang “Don’t Mourn My Body” and spoke about his relationship with her.
Godson Fountain spoke at the service and shared stories about Bridgeman and his mother, Letrice Fountain.
“[Jackie] was my mother’s oldest friend,” Fountain shared. “Jackie was a formidable character and never faded into the background. You were very aware of her presence at all times.”
Fountain’s mother, who had been friends with Bridgeman since they attended the Westlake School for Girls together, passed away the same week as Bridgeman.
“My mother was as equally interesting and smart as Jackie and Jackie needed a friend like that,” Fountain said. He explained that the pair were very rare for their time, as they were both intellectual and scholarly. They shared a passion for travel and education.
Bridgeman is survived by her grandson, Alexandre, and daughter-in-law, Lucimari Bridgeman.
