Jackilynn Hannah Millard-Lambert

Jackilynn Hannah Millard-Lambert

Jacki left this world for the next on Thursday Dec.19 th 2024 after facing an 18 month challenge with Breast Cancer.

Jacki left this world peacefully in the quiet and stillness of the early morning hours. Jacki was cared for in her home by the nurses of Hospice at Home program of Munson Medical Center, loving family members and the friends that stayed in touch and visited with her.

Jacki was born May 19th 1969 in Grand Haven Michigan, attended schools there and graduated from Reeths-Puffer High School in Muskegon in 1987.

Jacki spent many years in Florida doing bookkeeping and accounting in the constitution industry. She returned to Michigan in 2009 to rebuild her life after the economic downturn of 2008 decimated the construction industry in Florida. It was then that she met the man that would ultimately become her husband. What began as a date for lunch tuned into a 7 hour day together and a relationship that lasted over 15 years. In 2010 she moved to the Traverse City area to pursue employment opportunities and to be closer to her new partner.

In 2011 the two began to share their home together in Traverse City. Jacki returned to NMC Community College and completed an Associate Degree program in Applied Science in Engineering Technology in May of 2021. It was a source of pride and accomplishment for her to complete this program.

Jacki also completed a personal goal of designing and building a 16 by 14 foot ‘Tea House’ in the backyard of her home. She truly build it herself over a period of 3 yrs. It was her ‘ help keep me from going crazy’ project during the period of the Covid pandemic. She completed it the Summer of 2023 shortly after her Breast cancer diagnosis. Her brick Spiral Garden and Fairy Garden structures she built also brought her much joy. Jacki’s fierce sense of independence helped her during the chemotherapy, surgery and radiation treatments. She often said she wished she hadn’t taken so much time off from work during her treatments as she tolerated them quite well. She always kept faith in her ultimate recovery from the disease process. While Jacki’s circle of friends was small, we wish to thank eveyone who sent cards, made ph. calls, sent texts and visited her. The family also wishes to thank the Dr’s and staff at the Cowell Family Cancer Center, the nurses and staff of the D-5 floor at Munson Medical Center, the nurses and staff of the Hospice Care at Home program of Munson Medical Center.

Jacki often said she felt ‘cared for’ by the people involved with her care. Jacki was also cared for by her little dog Anton.

Anton spent hours by Jacki’s side as she rested in a recliner or her bed after her chemo, surgery and radiation treatments. He would lay quietly next to her even in the days when her body could no longer respond to his presence. He was her faithful friend.

She is preceded in death by parents, Bonnie Lou Millard, Ken Millard; Father John T. Vanduyvenvoorde And sibling Joyce Jenson.

Survived by her husband Kelly Lambert; Daughters, Sasha Deter ( Charles Bonsall), Erin McKee; Grandchildren, Lily Bonsall and Nathan Bonsall; Daughters of her Heart Roslyn Smith (David) and Grace Lambert; Sibling, Virginia Vanduyvenvoode, Laurie Rix, Vicki Ferguson, Ken Millard and Matt Millard.

Memorial Service is Saturday Jan. 18th, 1 pm at Unity Church of Traverse City, 3600 Five Mile Road.

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