Jacqueline (Jackie) Kay Herchek, 75 of New Smyrna Beach, Florida passed away January 8, 2013 of complications from a brain aneurysm. She was the youngest daughter of John Wright and Mary Elizabeth David, born in Cleveland, Ohio on January 27, 1937.
She is survived by her children and their families, Melissa (Dan) Goldthwaite of South Hampton, NH and John (Teresa) Purdy of Savannah GA, her three stepsons, Gary (Debra) Herchek of Concord, MA, James Herchek of Atlanta, GA, and Tom (Sue) Herchek of Blue Bell, PA, twelve grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband of 34 years, Robert Andrew Herchek (2007), and her two sisters, Marian Irene Grayson (2001) and Cecilia Mae Roberts (December 17, 2012).
Jackie lived each day to the fullest. She loved to spend time with her many friends and her family. She loved to play cards, go on cruises, and watch Ohio State football (her husband’s alma mater). She was a beloved grandmother who will be so deeply missed. She recently celebrated the arrival of two more great-grandchildren in 2012, and she had dubbed herself “G-G”. Jackie was an incredible survivor. She had battled through two brain aneurysms and stage 4 lung cancer. She was a fighter and went full throttle up until the morning that she passed.
Jackie had lived in New Smyrna Beach since 1990 and had been an incredibly active member of the community and dedicated much of her time to Bert Fish Medical Center. Jackie began her involvement with Bert Fish as a volunteer in 1994, serving as president of the auxiliary from 1999-2001. She, along with her husband, Bob, were also very involved with the Bert Fish Medical Center Foundation and served on that board for several years. Jackie and her husband Bob were named the Foundation’s first "Philanthropists of the Year" at a ceremony in November 2008. Over the years, the Herchek’s contributions benefited key patient care services that included the Regional Cancer Center and ICU. In 2005, Jackie was appointed to serve on the Southeast Volusia Hospital District Board, followed by reappointment in 2009, where she was currently serving. She was dedicated to fiscal responsibility for the District and the Hospital while providing for the under-insured, uninsured and indigent care in the community. Jackie was also active in the New Smyrna Beach Shrine Club.
A memorial service and celebration of her life will be held Monday January 14, 2013 at 1pm at the Coronado United Methodist Church, 201 South Peninsula Avenue, New Smyrna Beach, FL 32169 . In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Bert Fish Medical Center Foundation/Oncology Center,401 Palmetto Street, New Smyrna Beach, Florida, 32169 or to the Coronado United Methodist Church, 201 South Peninsula Avenue, New Smyrna Beach, Florida,32169.
Charlie and Elaine Meyer