Christiane Pierrette Jacqmart

JACQMART, Christiane (Titi) Age 93 of Kalamazoo Christiane passed away Wednesday, the 10th of February 2010, at Rose Arbor in Kalamazoo. She was born October 10, 1916 in Guingamp, France, the only child of Lucien Louis and Madeleine Demange. She met and married her husband Gaston Jacqmart in 1939, shortly before the onset of the war. Their daughter was born one year later while Gaston was off to fight in the French army. After being apart for 5 years, she was reunited with her husband at the end of the war in 1945. The family moved to Nantes where Christiane remained until her husband retired from his federal government position in 1978. That year, she and her husband immigrated to the U.S. to be near their daughter and her family in Kalamazoo. She retained her French citizenship and also became a passionate bi-lingual patriot of her adoptive country. Christiane was a gentle and loving person. Totally selfless, she dedicated her life to motherhood and later on, in Kalamazoo, to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Although tiny in stature, she made a lasting impression on anyone privileged enough to meet her. She made contributions to many organizations including the Paralyzed Veterans of America and the American Cancer Society. Christiane was preceded in death by a grandson, Shawn Brown of Coral Springs, Florida. Surviving are her husband Gaston, a daughter Chantal Hanel (Jacqmart), a grand-daughter Natalie Rose (Brown), four great-grandchildren, Mike, Zoey, Aaron and Maddie, and a step-sister Michele Berdeaux of Reims, France. Cremation was arranged by Avink Funeral Home (www.avinkcremation.com). There will be no visitation or memorial services. Contributions may be made to the Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan.