Jackie Breen

For Jacqueline Breen, family was the greatest source of happiness in her life. She loved to be surrounded by the smiles and laughter of her family, and loved spending her time being a wife, mother and grandmother to the people who brought her life immeasurable joy.

1925 found the country right in the middle of the Roaring Twenties. For those living in the big cities, it was a time of flappers and speakeasies, while those living in small rural towns, focused on hard work and raising families. John and Evelyn (Fox) Reynhout lived on the west side of Grand Rapids, Michigan, and were the proud parents of daughter Marie. On August 16, 1925, the couple delighted in welcoming the birth of their second daughter, Jacqueline. When third daughter Lorraine arrived a few years later, John and Evelyn’s family was complete.

Although they were quite poor, Jackie and her sisters grew up surrounded by a lot of love. Jackie was very close to her father and loved to tag along with him to the nearest fishing hole. They were both so much alike that they were both usually barefoot - they hated shoes. Jackie received her education in the area schools and went on to graduate from Union High in 1943. Like many young girls of the time, she then went to work as a Red Cross “Gray Lady” at the Butterworth Hospital during World War II. Once the war was over, she took a job with the City of Grand Rapids.

Jackie was in her early 20s when she met Roy Breen at a social gathering. He was in the area working, but was actually from Valparaiso, Indiana. It took him 6 months to win over Jackie’s heart before she would go out with him, but it wasn’t long after that romanced blossomed and they were happily married on October 14, 1950. Two years to the day later, the couple welcomed the birth of their first child, son Thomas, who was followed a few years later by their daughter, Joy.

Jackie’s first priority was always her family; she was absolutely committed to her husband and children, making sure everyone was taken care of. She took an active role in every phase of her children’s lives. From being a Den mother for Cub Scouts and serving as President of the PTA to volunteering in whatever activities she could, her passion was to support her family. When it came to discipline, Jackie was said to be ahead of her time as she got down on the child’s level to talk to them and always gave positive reinforcement. She taught her children good habits and strong values that would guide them through their lives.

When it came to getting away, the Breens loved to go camping, and did so just about every weekend in the summer with their camper club. Their outings took them as far up as the Upper Peninsula and near Interlochen, and for several years, they went to the annual Mackinac Bridge Walk around Labor Day. Their days of camping eventually led to Jackie and Roy buying a summer home at Sandy Pines in the heart of West Michigan, which they enjoyed for over 25 years. Outside of camping, there were also other memorable family vacations to Washington, D.C. and Arizona, and annual family reunions at the House of David in Benton Harbor.

It wasn’t until her kids were all grown that Jackie went back out into the workforce. She took a job as an office worker in the Mapping Department for Kent County for several years before finally retiring. Then, she and Roy began to travel more often, spending a few months each winter in Florida, and going to Disney World with their children and grandchildren. There was nothing that made Jackie happier than doting on her loved ones. As a doting grandmother, she never missed a Grandparents’ Day, recital or sporting event for her grandkids, and she enjoyed taking them out on “dates” to her favorite restaurant, Arnies, on Leonard Street. Jackie cherished her family with all her heart, caring for them in times of need and celebrating with them in times of joy.

Jackie’s favorite holiday was Christmas, for this time of year was an opportunity for all of her family to come together. Their place at Sandy Pines was always festively decorated already in August, which included her homemade nativity scene. There were several family traditions Jackie upheld every Christmas, including Advent gifts and calendars for her children and grandchildren, and it only goes to say that her entire house was decorated from top to bottom with Christmas cheer. Being a crafty person, Jackie made many of her own decorations and loved to knit, and was the go-to-person if someone else needed a craft done too. She was also a collector of sorts, and had a vast collection of over 1,000 spoons from all over the world, and teapots of all shapes and sizes.

Church was also very important to Jackie, and she was a longtime, active member of the North Park Presbyterian Church. She taught Sunday school for many years, and was especially taken with the preschool class. Jackie was always good at remembering people and names, and it seemed she was always running into someone she knew. Sadly, Jackie lost her beloved husband Roy after a brief, but sudden illness in 1994, leaving her devastated and alone after 44 years of marriage. About 7 years ago, Jackie moved to Porter Hills, where she could get some additional assistance, but within the last few months, her mobility became greatly limited. After a short stay in the hospital, Jackie declared to her family that “I’m going home with Roy” and she entered her eternal home a short time later on Thursday, June 4, 2009.

Although Jackie will be deeply missed, her legacy of love and dedication leaves her loved ones with wonderful memories and a strong foundation to look to for comfort.

Jackie was preceded in death by her husband, Roy. Jackie is survived by her children: Thomas Breen and his fiancée, Peg Eady, Joy and Scott Henning; grandchildren: Tracie (Mark) Buschur, Stacie (Nate) Walker, Kaycie Breen, Bob, Bill and Sarah Henning; great grandchildren: Elizabeth, Rachel, McKenzie and Bobby Buschur, Kaleb, Kaden and Kody Walker; sisters and brothers-in-law: Marie and Harvey Hazen, Lorraine and Cliff Goeree; sisters-in-law Mary Helen Rice and Vivian Breen; and several nieces, nephews and many friends.

A service to celebrate her life will be held on Wednesday, June 10, at 11 a.m. at North Park Presbyterian Church, 500 North Park Street NE, Grand Rapids. Relatives and friends may visit with her family on Tuesday, June 9, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home – Van’t Hof Chapel, 851 Leonard NW, Grand Rapids. For those who wish, memorial contributions may be made to North Park Presbyterian Church. Please visit Jackie’s personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory/thought with her family or sign her online guest book.