Jacque was the 10th of 13 children born to Fabian and Irene Mack in Baker City. She is survived by her husband Daniel J. Hill, her daughter Mackenzie D. Hill, and 11 of her siblings: Jerrold Mack and Joseph Mack of St. George, UT; Joyce Mack Towle of Westport, WA, Janice Mack Talcott of Olympia, WA; Jeff Mack of Oak Harbor, WA; Julia Mack Crippin and John Mack of Montrose, CO; Jason Mack of Montgomery, AL; Judith Mack Cameron of Lake Oswego, OR; Jordan Mack of Houston, TX; Jillona Mack Moretti of San Antonio, TX; and numerous nieces and nephews. Jacque was preceded in death by her mother, Irene Katherine Klein Mack, her father Fabian S. Mack, and brother James Mack.
Jacque was born in Baker City in 1961, and attended St. Francis Academy, graduated from Baker High School and attended Chemeketa Community College in Salem. She was part of a jewelry family. Both her father and mother owned jewelry stores in Eastern Oregon and like all her siblings, Jacque worked her way up in the business. She was a natural, with her bubbly personality and acumen as a buyer, knowing what her clients would want. She came to Hermiston in 1982 to join her mother in I.J. Gems. From then on, Jacque owned and successfully operated IJ Gems in Hermiston for over 30 years. The store closed in 2014, due to her illness.
Jacque was an active part of the Hermiston community, working hard toward the preservation and development of the historical downtown. She initiated the original “Spud Fest,” which later became the “FunFest” and directed it for 10 years. She maintained a leadership role in the Merchants Association for many years and was the driving force behind the Downtown Christmas Lights every year.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Our Lady of Angels Catholic Church on Thursday, Nov. 10, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. Interment will be private. A celebration of life will start at 12:30 p.m., ending at 2:30 p.m. at the Hermiston Conference Center.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the Good Shepherd Community Health Foundation, 610 NW 11th St., in Hermiston or Our Lady of Angels Catholic Church.
Please sign the online condolence book at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
