Help Support Jackie Steckel – Our Heart of the Community

Whether you know her as Jackie, Mrs. Steckel, Jiggs, Auntie Jiggs, Jackie Snow, Mom, Sister, or her newest and most beloved title—Gigi—you know that Jackie Steckel is the kind of person who shows up. Always.

For 38 years at City Hall, Jackie was the quiet force behind the scenes—organizing retirement cards, sending messages of sympathy, gathering donations during times of hardship. And she didn’t just do this for coworkers. Jackie helped everyone. Family, friends, acquaintances, and even total strangers (although let’s be honest—is anyone really a stranger to Jackie?). She knows everyone’s parents, grandparents, where they worked, who owned their house before them, and probably how they ended up in Ludington in the first place. She’s our unofficial historian and living reference book.

She’s also the first to volunteer—reading to children at school, helping at church, lending a hand at community events, or raising money for a local cause. If something good is happening in this community, there’s a pretty good chance Jackie had something to do with it.

And now—though she would absolutely hate the attention—it’s our turn to give back to Jackie.

She’s facing a challenging time, and while she’d never ask for help, we know she’s more than deserving of a little extra support. This fund is a way for all of us—her family, friends, coworkers, and community—to show up for the person who has spent a lifetime showing up for us.

Let’s return just a fraction of the kindness, love, and generosity Jackie has given us over the years. Every donation, big or small, will go directly toward helping Jackie navigate the road ahead a little more comfortably.

About Jackie’s Health:

Jackie began experiencing a persistent cough in January 2024, which worsened into shortness of breath by April. After countless medical tests—including x-rays, CT scans, stress tests, and breathing procedures—and visits with multiple specialists, Jackie was diagnosed with CTD-ILD (Connective Tissue Disease – Interstitial Lung Disease), a rare autoimmune condition that causes progressive lung damage. Unfortunately, the damage already done to her lungs is irreversible, and the focus now is on slowing the progression of the disease.

She is currently being treated at Butterworth Meijer Heart Center in the ICU, undergoing extensive testing and treatment to stabilize her oxygen levels and respiratory distress. She has received numerous medications, including high-dose steroids that have caused additional complications such as elevated blood sugar requiring insulin. Doctors are closely monitoring her and have even begun discussions about the possibility of intubation and a lung transplant. This is the beginning of a very long and difficult journey—for Jackie and her family.

Let’s surround Jackie with the love and support she has so freely given to all of us. Thank you for donating, sharing, and being part of her community.

Thank you, Jennifer, Karen, Heather and all of Jackie's friends and co-workers at City Hall