Jacqueline E. Heitman

Jackie was born June 3, 1937, in Ionia, Michigan, and was raised by her adoptive parents, Rev. Arthur C. and Grace (Wakefield) DeVries, in Marquette. She attended Graveraet High School where she played basketball, graduating with the Class of 1955.

On July 9, 1955, Jackie was united in marriage to Marvin Lee Heitman in Marquette and together the couple established their first home in Marquette where they had their first child, Kathleen. The family later relocated to Detroit where Marvin was employed with Michigan Bell Telephone while attending the Detroit College of Law. While in Detroit, David and Dianne (Dodie) were added to the family tree. When Marvin graduated in 1963, the family moved back to Marquette.

Throughout the years, and when the children were a little older, Jackie managed to balance her roles of wife and mother with also attending Northern Michigan University where she earned her bachelors degree. She was employed for a time with Montgomery Ward and then part time as a bookkeeper with Planned Parenthood, and Lakeshore Marine. Although she and Marvin never did formally retire, they kept busy playing Bridge socially at camp gatherings and at home. Jackie especially enjoyed any time the family would be together and loved the challenge when playing games.

Over the years, she had numerous canine companions, all of which she loved very deeply. Jackie was a member of the Marquette Community Theater and directed “The Odd Couple” when it was performed years ago at the Northwoods Supper Club.

Jackie is survived by a son, David Heitman; daughter, Dianne (Brad) Heitman-Saari; her granddaughter, Megan Brennan; and great-granddaughter, Serena Brennan; several biological siblings, Ralph, Geri, Les, James, Linda, Janice, and Joe; as well as several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Marvin; a daughter, Kathleen Brennan; grandsons, Michael William Brennan and Sean Ross Brennan; and brother, Donald DeVries; and her biological mother, Marjorie Bowerman.

A gathering of family and friends will be held at Fassbender Swanson Hansen Funeral and Cremation Services on Thursday, January 4, from 12:00 noon until 2:00 pm. This will be an informal time for the sharing of memories, conversation, and food.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to UPAWS (Upper Peninsula Animal Welfare Shelter), 815 S. M-553, Gwinn, MI 49841 or the Michigan Veterans Home D.J. Jacobetti Life Enrichment Fund, 425 Fisher Street, Marquette, MI 49855.

Condolences may be expressed online at fassbenderswansonhansen.com.