Jacqueline "Jackie" Preston

Jacqueline Marie, Jackie, was an only child, born on October 22,1928 to John and Josephine (Blachowski) Liick. Jackie grew up surrounded not only by her parents, but also with her three aunts and grandmother who helped raise her. In the family home on the west side of Grand Rapids, Polish was more frequently spoken than English, so Jackie was bilingual at an early age.

As a young girl, Jackie was a good student each day, she walked to St. Adalberts Elementary School and later, Mount Mercy Academy, to complete her Catholic education.

Following high school, Jackie began working at Preston Products. While working there, she met one of the Preston brothers, Edmund or “Ed”. After dating for two years, they decided they wanted to spend their life together and Ed and Jackie were happily married on October 16,1948, at St. Adalberts Catholic Church where they both were members. Jackie and Ed were blessed with six children; Sally, Ken, Joyce, Mike, Tricia and Diane.

For Jackie, there was nothing more important than caring for her family and that wasn’t limited to her husband and children. Over time, she lovingly cared for her mother and mother-in-law as well as aunts and uncles.

In addition to caring for family, Jackie worked alongside her husband in their family business, Micron Manufacturing. She and Ed started and owned Micron for over 70 years.

She lovingly cared for Ed for eight years before he passed away. She continued to be the owner of Micron and worked well into her 80s.

Jackie and Ed valued Catholic education, which was a priority over their own wants so that their kids could receive a Catholic education at St. Adalberts and West Catholic High School.

Jackie was fortunate to have a large group of friends, many of whom she had known for years. For decades, she and Ed would go out with a group for dinner and dancing every Saturday night. She also had a group of lady friends that gathered monthly to play cards, eat, and laugh – a time she truly treasured.

Jacqueline Marie Preston, age 94 of Grand Rapids, passed away on March 5, 2023. She was preceded in death by her husband, Edmund, in 2013. Jackie is survived by her children Sally (Dirk) Van Kuik, Ken & Laurie Preston, Joyce & Dennis Valliere, Mike & Marilyn Preston, Tricia & Mike Galen, Diane & Dan Vermeesch; 18 grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren. Most important was her family, as Jackie thoroughly enjoyed her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

The family would thank Visiting Angels and all the caregivers for their time with Jackie.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, March 10 at 10 AM at the Basilica of St. Adalbert. Visitation will be held on Thursday from 5-7:30 PM at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home – Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Drive NW where the Rosary will be prayed at 7:30 PM. For those who wish, memorial donations are suggested to either West Catholic High School (include Jackie Preston in memo line) or Help Pregnancy Aid. To read more about Jackie, to share a memory or to sign her guestbook, visit www.heritagelifestory.com