Honoring Tradition.
Celebrating Life.
//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/017/114279/114279-life-panel.jpg

Jacqueline "Jackie" Messock

November 4, 1926 - October 31, 2016
Grand Rapids, MI

//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/017/114279/114279-01.jpg



Visitation

Friday, November 4, 2016
2:00 PM to 4:00 PM EDT
Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes
Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel
2120 Lake Michigan Dr., N.W.
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
(616) 453-8263
Driving Directions

Visitation

Friday, November 4, 2016
6:00 PM to 8:00 PM EDT
Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes
Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel
2120 Lake Michigan Dr., N.W.
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
(616) 453-8263
Driving Directions

Visitation

Saturday, November 5, 2016
10:00 AM to 11:00 AM EDT
St. Alphonsus Catholic Church
224 Carrier St NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49505
(616) 451-3043
Map
Web Site

Service

Saturday, November 5, 2016
11:00 AM EDT
St. Alphonsus Catholic Church
224 Carrier St NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49505
(616) 451-3043
Map
Web Site

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.

Grand Rapids Home For Veterans
3000 Monroe Ave NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49505
(616) 364-5300
Map
Web Site

Humane Society of West Michigan
3077 Wilson Dr NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49534
(616) 453-8900
Map
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


//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/017/114279/114279-02.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/017/114279/114279-03.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/017/114279/114279-04.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/017/114279/114279-05.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/fh/download-memory-folder.jpg
Print

When reflecting on the life of Jacqueline “Jackie” Messock, words such as hardworking, fun-loving, and gracious come to mind. However, perhaps the word that paints the most accurate picture of her is the word selfless. Jackie was always looking for ways she could help others, and her devotion to her family was unmatched. A lifelong resident of the community she loved, she was the sort of person everyone seemed to know. Guided by her unwavering faith, Jackie’s strength, courage, and determination were truly inspiring. Deeply loved, she will be forever missed.

It was great to be an American during the decade that we commonly recall as the Roaring Twenties. Washing machines, radios, and refrigerators were signs of the time, and it was also during this time that motion pictures came to life with both color and sound. Amidst this exciting time was a time of great excitement in the lives of Vincent and Gertrude (Dalton) Brochu as they were pleased to announce the birth of the baby girl they named Jacqueline Jeanne on November 4, 1926, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. As the older child in the Brochu family, she and her family including her brother, Edmund, moved to the family home at the corner of Cedar and Lafayette, NE. Baptized at St James in Grand Rapids, it was while growing up that Jackie came to embrace the Catholic faith that was her constant companion. She loved playing jacks, running out to Creston Park, and fishing in Creston Pond. Jackie also enjoyed being with her dog, Queenie. As she got a bit older Jackie earned some money babysitting. As a student she attended St Alphonsus Elementary, which was located just up the street, and from there Jackie went on to Catholic Central High School, graduating in 1944.

Not to be forgotten during her years in high school was Jackie’s introduction to the man who would forever hold the key to her heart. His name was John Messock, he graduated in 1943 from Catholic Central and was called to serve in the Marine Corps during WWII. When he returned, Jackie and John were married at St Alphonsus Church on June 22, 1946, deeply in love. Together they welcomed four children including David John, Margaret Mary, Therese Anne, and Jacqueline Jeanne into their hearts and home. They first lived on Trowbridge, NE, which is one of the few cobblestone streets left in Grand Rapids. In 1954 they moved to 136 Page Street NE, and that was the place Jackie called home until spring of this year. She fully devoted herself to caring for her family, and she especially loved cooking for them. As her family grew to include grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Jackie was thrilled. Cooking during the holidays was always something she looked forward to, and baking her “holiday pies” was her specialty. Her dogs and cats were always like additional members of her family including her beloved cat, Ollie. Affectionately called “Nee Nee” by her great-grandchildren, Jackie treasured every moment they had to spend together.

Throughout her life Jackie was known for her strong work ethic. Just out of high school, she took a job at P. B. Gast & Sons where she did filing and other office work. She then got a job with Mutual of Omaha Insurance, and this marked the beginning of the career in the industry in which she would spend more than 50 years. Jackie always liked to keep busy, even after retiring from the office as she was still working until age 80. She especially enjoyed working with younger people as she felt they could always teach her new things.

Over the years Jackie enjoyed pursuing so many of the things she loved. She was a devout and longtime member of St. Alphonsus where she faithfully served for as long as she was able. Both she and John made lifelong friendships with others at church including with Russ and Dag Bennett, Jerry and Margaret Bockheim, and Don and Dorothy Freiburger. Together these four couples were known as the “Fearsome Foursome.” Over the years this group shared such special times. An accomplished artist, Jackie was a talented painter. Through the years she has done a few oil paintings, and she took china painting classes as well. Jackie painted each daughter a tea set, which was such a special treat.

Truly beautiful on the inside and out, Jacqueline Messock was a blessing to everyone she met. She was kindhearted and loving, the kind of person who was genuinely concerned about others with a spirit that was truly selfless. Jackie’s love for her family was never-ending, and her joy in being surrounded by their love was easy to see. Life was not always easy for her, but she will be remembered for the graceful strength that carried her through. Jackie will never be forgotten.

Jacqueline Jeanne Brochu Messock, better known as Jackie, passed away from this life on Oct. 31, 2016, four days before her 90th year. She was a lifelong resident of Grand Rapids and member of St. Alphonsus Church. Born on Nov. 4, 1926, the daughter of Gertrude (Peg) and Vincent Brochu. She graduated from Catholic Central High School in 1944. She married her husband Johnny in 1946, as he returned from serving in the U.S. Marines during WWII. She cared deeply about her religious faith and was very involved with her church.

Jackie was a very good artist and one of her favorite hobbies was china painting. She loved to cook for her family, especially during the holidays and baking "her holiday pies" was her specialty. During her life she loved her dogs and cats, especially her cat Ollie. Jackie worked hard all her life. Working for more than fifty years in the insurance business. She always liked to keep busy and even after retiring from the office, was still working until age 80. Life was not always easy for Jackie, but she always put her family first. She loved her family and was a wonderful grandmother to her grandchildren and great grandchildren, whom loved her and affectionately called her "NeeNee". Jackie's passing was preceded by her parents, her step father Ernest Knight, her husband John P., her son David J. and her great-grand daughter Addison Lynn Worst.She is survived by her daughters Margaret (Harry) Worst, Therese (Steve) VandenBrink and Jacqueline Messock Jr. Her grandchildren; Michael (Jenn) Worst, Brian (Kerri) Worst, Steven VandenBrink, Dana (Andrew) Pleasant, Hannah Niblette, Joshua Warner, and Phinesia Burleson-Napier. Her great-grand children; A.J., Brayden, Kendall, Emalie, Emmanuel, Ally, Kylie, Aiden, Avien, Seannah and Oliviana. Her brother Edmund (Dorothy) Brochu, her sister/brother-in-law Helen Messock, William and Patricia Messock. Many cousins, nieces and nephews. The family would like to extend a special thanks to Dr. Daniel Drumm M.D. for many years of care. Also, Whispering Woods and Great Lakes Hospice for her recent care. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, Nov. 5 at 11:00 AM at St Alphonsus Church, 224 Carrier St. NE. where she will repose one hour prior to the mass. Her family will receive visitors 2-4 and 6-8 on Friday, Nov. 4 at Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Drive NW. In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to the Grand Rapids Veterans' Home or Humane Society of West Michigan. Interment will be in Resurrection Cemetery. Please visit Jackie’s personal web page to learn more about her life story, to leave a condolence or a memory at www.lifestorynet.com.

//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/017/114279/114279-02.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/017/114279/114279-03.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/017/114279/114279-04.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/017/114279/114279-05.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/fh/download-memory-folder.jpg