Jacqueline M. Keith

Jacqueline Keith showed a great capacity to love throughout her life. Taking great joy in the smiles of her children and grandchildren, Jackie was a hard working, honest woman who lived her life with utmost care and generosity. Guided by her undying faith, Jacqueline showed a true servants heart throughout her life. With a creative spirit, a quick smile, and hands always ready to help, Jacqueline was a beloved wife, mother, sister, and friend. Jacquelines story starts in the 1930's, when the United States was overwhelmed with the Great Depression. After the stock market crash in 1929, jobs were scarce, tensions in Europe were escalating, and money was tight. However, the year 1933 saw the inauguration of Franklin D. Roosevelt, who launched the New Deal and brought hope back into the nation. In Muskegon, Michigan, one small family was busy preparing their home on Williams Avenue for the birth of their third child. One cold, winter day, January 30, 1933, Henry and Eleanor (Druck) Mazade joyfully welcomed their new daughter, Jacqueline Mae, into the world. Jacqueline spent her childhood with her two older brothers, Robert and Henry, in Muskegon. While her father supported his family by working as a machinist at Continental Motors in Muskegon, her mother worked in the home to create a happy place for her children to live and grow. Jacqueline, who was very shy, shared an extremely close relationship with her extended family, especially her grandparents. She also shared a close friendship with her brother, Henry, who was only 10 months older than her. Jacqueline attended a one room school house on Maple Island Road, where she learned to read, a hobby that became one of her favorite pastimes. In 1952, Jacqueline proudly accepted her high school diploma, and became a Muskegon High School graduate. Unfortunately, Jacquelines father died suddenly just three months prior to her graduation. After graduating, Jacqueline took her first job at Continental Motors, the same company where her dad had worked. She continued to reside with her mother in the family home and together they enjoyed family events and travel. For a short period of time, Jacqueline worked at Norge and then the telephone company, before finally returning to Continental Motors in 1960. One day, Jacquelines life took an unexpected turn. Her brother Robert decided to set her up on a blind date with a young man named Henry Hank Keith. While many blind dates end poorly, for Jacqueline and Hank, it was the start of a new chapter in their lives. After a whirlwind seven-month courtship, driven by Hanks persistence, Jacqueline became Mrs. Henry Keith on February 17, 1962 in Muskegon. The two newlyweds lived at 1870 McLaughlin Avenue in a house which Hank had built in 1955, together with Hanks nine year old daughter, Debbie. Jacqueline fit perfectly into the role of mother for Debbie, and soon found herself a mother to her own two children, Brad in 1963 and Mary in 1966. After caring for her mother through a long illness, Jacqueline was deeply saddened when her mother passed away in 1965. A few years later, Jacqueline left Continental Motors to devote her full attention to raising her family. Jacqueline was a loving and dedicated mother. She was involved in her childrens activities, enjoyed camping, picnics, and spending time at their summer home in Baldwin on Wolf Lake. In June of 1971, Jacqueline, a new grandmother, traveled with her family to New Mexico to meet her first grandchild, Logan. Also in 1971, Jacqueline and Hank became members at Orchard View Congregational Church. Jacquelines faith was an important part of her life, and she enjoyed serving as librarian, a member of the hospitality committee, nominating committee, and friendship circle, and also served as Deaconess for several terms at her church. In 1973, Jacqueline decided to open a daycare in her home. She operated the daycare for two decades, and was able to touch many young lives. Aside from operating her daycare, Jacqueline enjoyed playing the organ, sewing, arranging flowers, canning, and doing many other sorts of crafts. She enjoyed gathering with friends through two social clubs, Bunko and Quarter Club, both of which were started by her mother and friends. In 1994, Jacqueline experienced great grief with the sudden death of her husband, Hank. After his death, Jacqueline became very active in her church, took classes on floral arranging, and traveled. In 2002, Jacqueline traveled to San Diego for the birth of her grandson, Mason. During the next few years, she visited her family in San Diego often. Following the birth of her granddaughter, Ella, in 2005, Jacqueline began spending nine months of the year in San Diego caring for and making memories with her two grandchildren. Jacqueline took great pride in her children, and was pleased to see her son, Brad, retire from the Navy in 2004 after serving for 22 years. Sadly, on May 14, 2010, Jacqueline went to be with the Lord following complications from surgery. Throughout her life, Jacqueline showed great compassion and selflessness in serving those she loved. A kind, generous woman, Jacqueline spread immense joy to those who knew her, and had a great impact on the lives of many. A loving wife, dedicated mother, loyal friend and sister, Jacqueline was well loved throughout her life, and will continue to live in the hearts of those she loved. Jacqueline is survived by her three children, Debora Keith of Muskegon, Bradley (Pauline) Keith of Muskegon, and Mary (Lou) Keith Giordano of San Diego, CA; a brother, Henry (Vivian) Mazade of Baldwin, MI; four grandchildren, Logan (Kimber) Kemp, Kelly (Warren) Short, Mason Giordano, and Ella Giordano; and six great grandchildren, Mitchell Lucarelli, Krista Ronning, Cody Dame, Michael Dame, Ryder Kemp, and Ashten Kemp. Jacqueline is preceded in death by her husband, Henry Keith, and a brother, Robert Mazade. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, May 22, 2010, 11:00 AM at Orchard View Congregational Church with Rev. Craig Cramblet officiating. Interment at Sunrise Memorial Gardens. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you can leave a favorite memory or sign the online guestbook.