Jacquelyn McClish-Asselin

With unending love and devotion to those around her, Jacquelyn "Jackie" McClish-Asselin was truly beautiful on the inside and out. She was a hardworking woman, but she also took the time to enjoy life along the way. With a nurturing heart, Jackie had a special place in her heart for babies and children, loving them all as her own. No matter what came her way she was joyful, and she faced everything with strength, courage, and grace. Although she loved being a mother, Jackie just might have argued that nothing was better than becoming a grandmother later in life. Deeply loved, she will be forever missed. The 1930s brought America some of the darkest days we have ever faced as a nation as the entire decade was cloaked in the hardship of the Great Depression. With a soaring unemployment rate there were few Americans who didn't feel the strain, and things only became more dire when a drought covered our nation's heartland for nearly two years during this time. Despite the trials around them, Jerome E. and Alice M. McClish were able to focus on an exciting time in their own lives as they were eagerly awaiting the birth of their new baby as the beauty of spring began to unfold in Kalamazoo, Michigan, in April of 1938. Their wait was finally over when the baby girl they named Jacquelyn Alice drew her first breath on April 20th. The older of two children, she was raised in the family home alongside her brother, Jerry. Jackie was rather shy while growing up, but she was also thoughtful and kind. Her father introduced her to the Catholic faith, which was always something she treasured. Jackie attended a Catholic school and graduated from Augustine High School in 1957. She was also close to her family, instilling within her an appreciation for family that would remain with her for the rest of her life. Life was forever changed for Jackie when she met a man named William Asselin, Jr. After falling in love, they were married when she was 23. Although they divorced after three years, Jackie was so grateful that together they were blessed with the birth of their daughter, Kim. Jackie always told her daughter how happy she was to have been his wife since no one else could have created her. Independent and strong, Jackie worked hard to support and raise her daughter on her own. She also kept her faith in the Lord while raising her daughter, and it was easy to see that Kim was the most important thing to her. Although Jackie always wanted to change her last name back to McClish, she never did because of her daughter. For this reason, Jackie will go into eternal life as Jacquelyn Alice McClish-Asselin since she was more than deserving. Family was the most important thing in her life, and there was nothing that made her more proud than becoming a grandmother to her granddaughters, Megan and Bree. They were truly her pride and joy, and her world revolved around them. The feeling was completely mutual as Jackie's granddaughters loved her more than anything, and they also learned so much from her. Throughout her life Jackie worked hard. She spent two years working for Upjohn, and she then spent 17 years working at Gibson Guitar of Kalamazoo. In addition, Jackie worked as a special ed bus driver for Kalamazoo Public Schools. After a short retirement, she worked for her daughter in her home daycare, which was a great fit for Jackie since she loved babies and children. She and her daughter loved working together because not only were they mother and daughter, they were also best friends. Over the years Jackie was a woman of many interests. She loved birds and birdhouses, and she had quite a collection of them. Jackie was particularly fond of both red cardinals and hummingbirds. In fact, Kim and her husband got her extra bird feeders so she could enjoy them even more while watching them from her window. Jackie enjoyed playing Bingo, various card games, and watching classic movies. Her favorite actor was Burt Reynolds, which was easy to figure out since she had an 8x10 picture of him in a frame right on her nightstand! In addition to her daughter, Jackie was best friends with Linda Kingsbury, whom she called Linda Lou. She had many amazing people taking care of her the last 2 1/2 years of her life, that she loved, and they loved her back more. They all loved her amazing smile. With her amazing smile and heart of gold, there was no one who met Jacquelyn "Jackie" McClish-Asselin and left unchanged. She was so happy and had the amazing ability to always find the good in everyone with a zest for life that was truly contagious. Known as Jackie O, Jackie Ann, Sassy Jackie, Aunt Jackery Smith, Jack-O-Lack and Cracklin Jackolyn to some, she was the heartbeat of wherever she went. A more devoted mother and grandmother would be hard to find, and a friend of Jackie's was a friend for life. Things will never be the same without her here, but she leaves behind a priceless collection of memories that her loved ones will forever hold near and dear to their hearts. Jacquelyn "Jackie" McClish-Asselin passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 27, 2018, at 4:00 a.m. Jackie is survived by her daughter, Kimberly (Jim) Hazard; 2 granddaughters, Megan Hazard and BreeAnna Hazard; brother, Jerry (Judy) McClish; nephews, Mark (Sylvia) McClish, Mike (Ruth) McClish, Jason McClish, and Andrew McClish; niece Teresa (Mike) Fitzgerald; several cousins; and best friend, Linda Kingsbury. Jackie will be laid to rest at Mt. Ever-Rest Memorial Park at a later date, next to her Mom and Dad. Those who wish may make contributions to St. Joseph Catholic Church, or Hospice of SW Michigan.