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Florence "Donnie" Jachim

August 6, 1924 - June 27, 2015
Grand Rapids, MI

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Visitation

Tuesday, June 30, 2015
6:00 PM to 9:00 PM EDT
Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes
Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel
2120 Lake Michigan Dr., N.W.
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
(616) 453-8263

Visitation at the church on Wednesday also from 10:00 - 11:00 AM.

Driving Directions

Service

Wednesday, July 1, 2015
11:00 AM EDT
Holy Spirit Catholic Church
2230 Lake Michigan Drive NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
Map

Contributions


At the family's request memorial contributions are to be made to those listed below. Please forward payment directly to the memorial of your choice.

Humane Society of West Michigan
3077 Wilson NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49534
Web Site

Flowers


Below is the contact information for a florist recommended by the funeral home.

Ball Park Floral
8 Valley Ave.
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
(616) 459-3409
Driving Directions
Web Site

Life Story / Obituary


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With a life that spanned times of war and times of peace, times of plenty and times of want, Florence “Donnie” Jachim lived life to the fullest while holding her loved ones near. She was a gracious and humble woman of faith who selflessly served others whether those in her family, people in her church, or others within her community. A devoted family woman, Donnie was a loving wife and mother who was blessed to witness her family tree blossom to include both children and grandchildren who were her greatest source of pride and joy. Warm, social, and genuine, a friend of Donnie’s was a friend for life. She will be deeply missed, but her priceless collection of memories will be treasured for years to come.

It was great to be an American during the decade that is often recalled as the Roaring Twenties. With new innovation and exciting technology, prosperity was prevalent all across the United States. Cars were more affordable because of the wide implementation of the assembly line, and Amelia Earhart and Charles Lindbergh advanced the world of flight like never before. Amidst this eventful time was a time of great celebration in the lives of Andrew and Stephanie (Andrakowicz) Kwiatkoski as they announced the birth of the baby girl they named Florence Mary on August 6, 1924, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She was one of five children, joined in her family by her two step-sisters, Irene and Wanda, her sister, Genevieve, and her brother, George.

In many ways, Florence was a young girl of her generation. Her father owned a meat market, Andy’s Market, on Fourth Street and Garfield Avenue on the Northwest side of the city, and their family lived in the apartment located above. Florence’s mother was a busy homemaker. She and her family were members of St. Adalbert Catholic Church where they attended Sunday Mass. While growing up she developed a love for animals, and throughout her life she had several cats as faithful companions. Florence attended local schools and graduated from Union High School in 1942.

Life was forever changed for Donnie when she met the young man of her dreams. They met while in high school because they had lockers that were close to each other. They began dating and soon fell deeply in love. With a desire to establish a life together, Donnie and Frank were married on May 25, 1946, at St. Adalbert Catholic Church after dating for a few years. After a honeymoon at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, they returned home and settled into an apartment above his mother’s home on Lake Michigan Drive. They were blessed with three children, Patrick, Terry, and Jane, and after four years at the apartment they moved their busy family into the home they built on Charlotte Avenue, NW. This was the place Donnie called home for the rest of her life. Her husband worked as a tool and die maker, which allowed her to stay home with their children. As a family they enjoyed renting a cottage on Big Star Lake or Wolf Lake, and they also took vacations to Florida, New Mexico, Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, Philadelphia, and Washington. In addition, there were camping adventures at Orchard Beach State Park. Donnie was an amazing cook, especially when it came to traditional Polish dishes. Among her specialties were golumbki, kielbasa, pierogi, meatballs and kluschiki. Donnie also made great apple, blueberry, and cherry pies.

In addition to caring for her family, Donnie kept busy in other ways. She was a founding member of the new Holy Spirit Catholic Church in the 1950s where the family faithfully attended Mass together. Donnie was also and actively involved there including in the Altar Society, the Funeral Luncheon Committee, and the Young Spirits a bit later on. She also volunteered at the West Side Apostolate. Once her children were in school, Donnie worked as an operator for Michigan Bell Telephone in the sixties, and she later took a job as a proof reader at Fidler Publishing. She remained there for several years until retiring. Donnie loved flowers and plants, and her yard always looked beautiful because of her green thumb. She began golfing in her forties, and from that point on she and Frank golfed weekly at Gracewill Country Club. Donnie also belonged to a bowling league and bowled on a weekly basis. Since she was Polish, it isn’t surprising that she loved polka dancing, and to unwind she enjoyed reading a book a week, usually a good mystery like something from James Patterson. As someone who was so intelligent, Donnie was also very good with word searches and crossword puzzles.

Later in life Donnie and Frank continued to enjoy life together. They welcomed grandchildren into the family, and she loved spending time with her grandchildren. Donnie and Frank spent two months at their trailer in Leesburg, Florida, each winter where they made many friends since they were such a social couple. During the holidays she hosted her visiting family members in her home for many years.

Daily life was drastically changed for Donnie and her loved ones after a fall left her with severe head trauma five years ago. After several weeks in the hospital she moved to Mary Free Bed, and since she suffered with memory loss and diminished cognitive abilities, her daughter, Jane, moved in with them. Donnie’s health diminished further with severe arthritis and diabetes. Jane had a lot on her plate this past year because she also needed to care for Frank as he became afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease. A severe stroke this past Sunday resulted in her need for hospice care, and she drew her last breath with Jane and her dear cat, Max, at her side.

With unending compassion for others, Florence M. “Donnie” Jachim was a blessing to everyone she met. She was never one to worry about the things of this world, rather, her focus was on loving and serving others in ways both great and small. A dear woman to many, Donnie will be forever missed.

Florence M. “Donnie” Jachim, aged 90, of Grand Rapids, peacefully passed away at her home on Saturday, June 27, 2015. She is survived by her husband of 69 years, Frank Jachim; her children, Patrick (Noralie) Jachim, Terry (Patti) Jachim, Jane Larson; her grandchildren, Paula (Brent) Garvin, Jennifer Feuerstein, Jill Heimstra, Tracy (Andy) VanSolkema; 8 great grandchildren, Tyler, Aidan, and Ava Feuerstein, Riley, Brody and Nyla Garvin, Owen and Sawyer VanSolkema; many nieces, nephews and friends. She was preceded in death by her brother, George (Elfie) Kwiatkowski and her sisters, Irene Kwiatkowski, Wanda (Bob) Martini and Genevieve Kwiatkowski; many nieces, nephews and friends. Donnie was a founding member of Holy Spirit Parish where she was active in the Young Spirits, the Altar Society and the funeral luncheon committee. She also volunteered at the West Side Apostolate. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, July 1, at 11:00 AM at Holy Spirit Catholic Church. Burial in Holy Cross Cemetery. Relatives and friends may meet her family at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home – 2120 Lake Michigan Dr. NW on Tuesday from 6:00 – 9:00 PM. Contributions in her memory may be made to Humane Society of West Michigan. To read more about Donnie’s life, to leave your own memory of her and to sign her guest book, visit her web page at www.lifestorynet.com

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