Jacqueline Hennessy Obituary

Jacqueline Rae Hennessy, 79, of La Porte, Indiana, and formerly of Calumet City, Illinois/Hammond, Indiana, passed away peacefully on Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024.

Jackie was born on Nov. 10, 1944, in Hammond, Indiana, to Catherine Rose (Welty) and Irvin Wesley Dase, the youngest of three girls.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Catherine "Katie" Dase; her father, Irvin Dase; her husband, James Roy Hennessy (whom she married on Nov. 15, 1966 in Joliet, Illinois); her oldest sister, Brenda Hesterman; nephew, Mark Ellison; nephew, Kevin Hesterman; brother-in-law, Ron Musket; as well as aunts, uncles and cousins.

Surviving are her loving and devoted children, Michelle Lee Hennessy (Roy Meadway) of La Porte, Indiana, Lisa Marie (Gary) Johnson of La Porte, Indiana, and Marcy Lynn Hennessy (Don Scheuerman) of Townsend, Wisconsin.

She is also survived by her grandchildren, who loved their Gigi beyond measure, Savannah Rae Hennessy (Calton Montoya) of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Samuel Hennessy Johnson (Morgan McLalin) of Fish Lake, Indiana, Benjamin Hennessy Johnson of La Porte, Indiana, and her first great grandchild due in January.

Jackie's world revolved around her daughters, grandchildren, family, friends and church family. She was the most amazing mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, and anyone that knew her was blessed.

In addition, she is survived by her middle sister, Georgianna M. Musket; and nephew, Mike Ellison of Ft. Myers, Florida; her brother in-law, Don Hesterman of Henderson, Nevada; nephew, Joe Ostapchuk of Highland, Indiana; and great nephews and niece, Alec Ellison, Aaron Ostapchuk and Jordan Ostapchuk.

She attended All Saints Catholic School and graduated from Hammond High School in 1962. She formed life-long friendships with so many dear people in Hammond, Calumet City and La Porte, who were a constant in her and her family's life.

After moving from Calumet City, Illinois, to LaPorte in 1979, Jackie worked at Lincoln Elementary School, TG&Y, JCPenney and then retired from Screw Machine Products, after 31-plus years.

She was a very active and devoted member of Holy Family Parish (her home parish being St. Peter), and also taught Faith Formation for approximately 40 years, including fifth grade, RCIA, Confirmation and co-leading the Tri-Parish Youth Group, all of which she loved and had such a passion for. Any and all adults and youth she touched were lucky and blessed.

Jackie was also a Eucharistic minister, and volunteered tirelessly within her church community (while loving every minute of it). She never met a stranger and made all feel welcome and loved. Jackie will be missed more than words can express by all who knew her and by her smile, hugs, positivity, upbeat personality and love for life!

Visitation will be at Frank L. Keszei Funeral Home, Essling Chapel, 1117 Indiana Avenue, La Porte, Indiana, on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 5 to 7 p.m., where there will be a time for sharing memories of Jackie at 6:30 p.m., followed by the Rosary at 6:45 p.m.

On Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, visitation will be held starting at 9:30 a.m., with a time for sharing memories from 10:30 to 10:45 a.m. in the funeral home, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial to be held at 11 a.m. at Holy Family Parish, St. Peter Catholic Church, 1101 Michigan Avenue, La Porte.

A private family burial will take place at a later date, where she will be laid to rest in Townsend, Wisconsin, with her husband, Jim, and his parents, Roy and Eleanor Hennessy.

The family invites you to please join them in the St. Peter Parish Hall after the funeral for a luncheon and time of gathering and socializing in Jackie's honor.

If anyone feels compelled to share words, stories or memories about our beloved Jackie and won't be able to attend or speak at the service, please email your thoughts to her daughter Lisa Johnson at: [email protected].

Family and friends may leave condolences or share memories of Jackie at: www.esslingfunerahome.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her name to: Holy Family Parish High School Youth Group, 201 Bach St., La Porte, IN 46350.