This sounds like what you describe, and one of my favorites! I always used to ask for this for my birthday supper!

MIRACLE CHEESECAKE

FOR THE CRUST:
3 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/2 cup butter,melted
1/3 cup sugar

FOR THE FILLING:
1 (3 oz.) pkg. lemon Jello*
1 cup boiling water
1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese, softened
1 cup sugar
3 Tbsp. lemon juice
1 tsp. vanilla
1 (12 oz.) can evaporated milk, well chilled

Combine cracker crumbs, butter and 1/3 cup sugar. Reserve 1/3 cup crumbs and press remainder into a 9x13 pan and chill (or bake for 10 minutes at 350 degrees and cool).

Dissolve gelatin in 1 cup boiling water and add lemon juice. Chill until slightly thickened.

Blend together cream cheese, 1 cup sugar and vanilla until creamy. Add partially set jello mixture and mix until well blended. Set aside.

Pour chilled evaporated milk into mixer bowl and beat until whipped and fluffy. Fold into gelatin mixture and pour into graham cracker crust. Sprinkle with remaining crumbs and chill for at least two hours before serving.

*I think you could substitute flavors of jello and experiment with this a little if it is not exactly as you remember it. I think it would be good with orange-pineapple jello and add some crushed pineapple, too.