Jackie Elizabeth Cleary, 64, of Holland, MI passed away Monday, May 4, 2020 at Holland Hospital. Born August 3, 1955 in Yuba City, CA, she was the daughter of the late Wally and Charlotte (Webster) Needham. Jackie had worked at Gemtron in Holland MI for twenty-four years manufacturing glass refrigerator shelves where she especially liked producing the shelves for the Amana line. She was an avid reader and passed the trait on to her late daughter, Amber and her Granddaughter, Malia. Jackie also liked to watch crime dramas on television, such as CSI and NCIS, whether it had been by herself or with her Granddaughter, Elizabeth. She and her daughter, Mahala would often compare notes on the latest episode of The Masked Singer as well. Jackie loved to capture moments forever through photographs. She always had her camera out at family gatherings and special events. Something very unique about Jackie was that she was born on July 31, 1955 but the hospital made a mistake on her Birth Certificate and put the date that she went home, August 3, 1955. Jackie never had that changed, but she would always tell her kids “don't forget I have two Birthdays”. When Jackie was working at Gemtron her daughter Mahala would always call and ask them to tell her Happy Birthday on July 31 over the intercom; that is something that was done every year that she worked there.
Jackie is survived by her children, Jayme Cleary, Mahala (Juan) Marquez, Simone (Mike) Anderson, Zachary Berry and James (Gabby) Wills; her son-in-law, Donte Williams; siblings, Laura Berry, Frank Berry and Diana Schmuhl; granddaughters, Elizabeth Garcia, Celeste Marquez, Isabela Marquez, Malia Marquez, Elena Tinajero, Charlotte Almazan, Keyshia Marquez and Kate’Lynn Marquez; grandsons, Jose Santiago-Gonzalez, Guillermo Santiago-Gonzalez, Segundo Almazan and James Wayland Willis, III.
Along with her parents, Charlotte, and Wally she was preceded in death recently by her daughter, Amber Williams; her sister, Cindy Petty; her longtime companion, James Willis, Sr.; and her late husband, Wesley Cleary.
In accordance with recent regulations, a public Celebration of Life will be planned for a later date. Those who wish to pay their respects may visit Gorden Funeral Residence, 528 Trowbridge Street, Allegan on Sunday, May 17, 2020 between the hours of 1:30 PM and 5:00 PM. It had been Jackie’s hope that one day she would be able to help in the fight against ovarian cancer, which took her sister far too young. In that spirit, the family suggests memorial donations to the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance, 14 Pennsylvania Avenue, Suite 2110, New York, NY 10122 in lieu of flowers.
