Jacquelyn "Jackie" Hainen

Hardworking, loyal, and generous beyond measure, Jackie Hainen was a blessing in the lives of everyone she met. She was organized and precise, and with a take charge personality she deeply affected the lives of so many within her community in a significant way. A devoted wife and mother, Jackie was thrilled to become a grandmother to the grandchildren who filled her heart with joy. Although she enjoyed her work as a teacher, playing Bridge, and gardening, nothing was more near and dear to Jackie’s heart than her family. Life 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.

Although the 1920s were greatly prosperous times in America, the 1930s were a much different story as the entire decade was cloaked in the hardship of the Great Depression. Jobs were scarce, the unemployment rate soared, and things only became more dire with a drought that crippled the agricultural industry even further for nearly two years. Amidst this time of great trial, Douglas and Beatrice (Gregoire) Penney were able to shift their focus to an exciting time in their own lives as they welcomed a baby girl they named Jacquelyn into their hearts and home on June 9, 1935, in Toledo, Ohio. Her father worked as a machinist for many years while her mother was a homemaker. The younger of two girls, Jackie was raised alongside her older sister, Sharon, but sadly, Sharon died in a car accident as a young girl of 18. Jackie spent a lot of time living with her grandparents and aunts. As a student at local schools, she took an art class, but she wasn’t really all that great at it.

Early on, Jackie spent some time teaching in a farm town, but she later began teaching in Maumee, Ohio. This proved to be quite fateful as it was there that she met the man of her dreams. His name was James Hainen, and it didn’t take them long to fall deeply in love. With a desire to spend the rest of their lives together Jackie and Jim were married on June 12, 1965, in Toledo. To their marriage Jim brought his two children from his previous marriage, Michael and Pamela, and Jackie loved them as her own. In addition, they were blessed with the birth of their daughter, Christy. They moved to Vicksburg in 1965, first renting an apartment. They later got Mr. Hughey to build them a home, and they have been living on Sunset Lake since 1966. Jackie was a fantastic cook, but she also had the most amazing willpower as she was able to eat just one of anything.

In addition to caring for her family, Jackie kept busy with other things. She spent 24 years teaching business for Vicksburg High School, retiring in 1992. As someone with a take charge personality, Jackie was an active part of her community, serving in numerous ways. As a member of the library women’s auxiliary, Jackie helped with the library book sale every year. Playing Bridge was always an important part of her life, and she was a member of St. Martin of Tours. For 27 years she did the bookkeeping for Kalamazoo Marine, which she also owned half of. For over 20 years they went to Pine Island, Florida, and there she was a member of a garden club as she was an avid gardener. When relaxing, Jackie also loved reading.

All who knew Jackie Hainen would agree that she was truly extraordinary. She was organized, trustworthy, and dependable without a mean bone in her body. Jackie took everything in stride throughout her life’s journey, and her mission was always to love and serve others first and foremost. Truly not an average girl, Jackie brought such joy to those around her. Deeply loved, she will be forever missed.

Jacquelyn “Jackie” M. Hainen, of Vicksburg, passed away on Sunday, October 30, 2016. Jackie’s family includes her husband, James; three children: Michael (Sally) Hainen, of Traverse City; Pamela Hainen, of Vicksburg; Christy Hainen-Slater, of Vicksburg; four grandchildren: Alexander, Andrew, Samantha, McKenzie; cousins: Marsha (Fred) Duvendack, of Temperance, MI and Marsha’s children: Daneen Duvendack, of Temperance; Roger (Patsy) Duvendack, of Lambertville; Todd Duvendack, of Toledo; brothers-in-law: Bill (Sue) Hainen, of Bowling Green, OH; Fred (Judy) Hainen, of Villages, FL. Jackie was preceded in death by her parents, Douglas and Beatrice Penney; sister: Sharon Penney; and special aunt: Barbara Penney. The family will receive friends on Thursday, from 4 to 7 p.m., Life Story Funeral Home, 409 S. Main, Vicksburg (269-649-1697). A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, at 10:30am at St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church, 5855 East W Ave, Vicksburg. Burial at Vicksburg Cemetery. Please visit Jackie’s webpage at www.lifestorynet.com where you can read her story, sign the guestbook, share a memory and/or photo. Those who wish may make contributions to the Vicksburg District Library, Vicksburg Community Schools Foundation, and/or Vicksburg Historical Society Endowment Fund.