- Date Of Birth: January 15, 1930
- Date Of Death: October 4, 2022
- State: Arizona
Mom’s Story
Jackie died peacefully at her home in Scottsdale, AZ. on Oct. 4, 2022. She was 92 years old.
Born Jacqueline Jane Hill January 15th 1930 in Baraboo, WI. to Bertha S and Robert C. Hill in
the middle of the Great Depression. She spent her entire childhood, along with her younger
brother Bob, in Baraboo, graduating from Baraboo HS in 1947. She went on to Carrol College in
Waukesha WI. for freshman and sophomore years. She transferred to UW Madison as a Junior
where she pledged Chi Omega and lived in the sorority house. She declared herself a business
major (marketing) and graduated in June of 1952 with a BBA. For graduation (and because she
didn’t smoke), her father sent her on a European cruise for the summer, where she was pictured
frequently with her pack of Pall Malls!!
of the group was Ira Levin (famous author – Rosemary’s Baby) from NYC and she also met a
guy named Hans on a motorcycle hitch hiking in Germany. When asked by Ira Levin what her
goal in life was she replied “gracious living”, which Ira apparently found very amusing (he may
have used that line in one of his books)! She returned to Baraboo and got a job at the munitions
plant (Badger Ordinance) outside of Baraboo as a secretary, but was terrible at shorthand, which
she never did learn.
She met her husband Fred senior year when she went home for a friend’s wedding and he was
hanging out at a local bar called The Ritz. He claims no one else was buying her a drink so he
did. Fred was working at a jewelry store in Baraboo and making jewelry. When she got back
from Europe they got engaged and were married on Jan. 25th 1953 at her parent’s home. They
went to Chicago for their honeymoon and attended a Blackhawks game. They lived in Baraboo
in a tiny (but gracious) apartment. Fred got a job as a supervisor at Badger Ordinance where
mom continued to work (not taking shorthand). Then came Heidi in Aug. 1953. Fred
subsequently got a job selling Arrow shirts and the family moved to Toledo. They rented a house
and Hans (named after the motorcycle dude??) was born in Oct. 1954. They then bought their
first home in Toledo for $45,000. Fred wanted to own a men’s store but couldn’t afford it unless
Jackie could bring in some cash, so she enrolled in the University of Toledo to get her teaching
certificate and then got her Master’s in Education from TU in 1958 (Educational Media).
She went back to work in a newly created role as Director of Educational Media, for the new HS
in Sylvania which was creating a media/resource center with Title 10 funding which she helped
procure from the State. She worked for the Sylvania Schools for over ten years (much to her high
school aged kids’ dismay). Once they became empty nesters she joined Fred on the road and they
moved to Chicago where their business, Westland Associates, took off. They built a team of
sales professionals to cover the Midwest market where they represented several woman’s apparel
and accessory manufacturers.
Mom retired when she was 65 and moved to AZ. For over 10 years she volunteered as a Senior
Peer Counselor for the city of Scottsdale. She split her time between Scottsdale and the Crow’s
Nest (aka the money pit), on Lake Michigan, which she always said was her happy place and
where we will spread her ashes!!
Mom was an avid reader, bridge player, golfer (Desert Highlands, Point O’ Woods) and GB
Packers fan (also a closeted Bears fan).
trips to TJX, crossword puzzles and Crown Royal (her medicine). She had a large circle of
friends and loved to entertain, shop, and to go out for breakfast and for froyo (which she believed
had no calories)! Despite having no formal investment training, she was a market maven and
active stock picker, always looking for the next big thing. She was not afraid to take risks and
made concentrated bets on her favorite stocks (early investor in Dell computer). She did
exceptionally well over the years with her “gambling fund” !!
“Gram” adored her five grandchildren and was actively engaged with each of them and
maintained an enclylopedic knowledge of each of their lives and activities. She is survived by:
her husband Fred, her brother Bob (MaryEllen), her daughter Heidi (John Grinney), her son
Hans (Lane), her granddaughters Maris (Tyler Johansson), Sydney (Wes Hartman), Jaclyn (Kyle
Santos) and grandson’s Jon Grinney (Laine Potter) and Taylor Grinney (Elana Monahemi).
Jackie lived long enough to be blessed with five great grandchildren who brought her endless
joy: Logan and Frances Johansson, Russell and Brooks Hartman and Autumn Santos.
Our entire family is grateful beyond measure to her amazing and compassionate caregivers –
Wendy, Yuli, Edna, and Mayra, who lovingly cared for her like she was their own mom. We are
also thankful for Hospice of the Valley who was extremely professional and sensitive in
attending to her needs during her final days, as Parkinson’s Disease took its toll. No services are
planned at this time, though the family would welcome anyone reaching out to share
From Hans and Family
You’re receiving this email for one of two reasons. One Jackie touched your life, or two you’ve touched
mine and I want to share and celebrate my mom’s life. She passed on October 4, 2022, in control, her
way, with dignity until the end.
Mom had a great blend of intelligence, education, compassion and common sense that made her
unwittingly a mentor, a leader, a sounding board, and a good friend to all that needed one. Count me as
one.
I was never prouder of myself when I left Sylvania Ohio for the University of Colorado in 1972 only to
hear from my high school buddies that they were having dinner with my mom once a month at The
Garden Inn, good living! Dorm food with new friends couldn’t compete..
Fearless woman she was. On a group trip to Europe after high school she caught Ira Levins eye. Over
dinner he asked her how she visualized her future. She answered, I want gracious living. She liked Ira but
while in Germany met Hans ( who had a motorcycle). She thought my first son will be Hans!
She came back to Wisconsin and met Frederick Westland. From there it’s complicated, but mostly a
good story. Mom started her career in education management, periodically walking the halls of my high
school with shiny red go go boots and big hair. Never prouder!
When I left for college dad’s business was growing rapidly requiring a move to Chicago and the need of
a clear headed leader to run the operation side of the business. That leader was Mom and in the apparel
business she found her true calling. No surprise she quickly moved seamlessly from behind the desk to
selling customers the benefits that only her product could provide. She remastered the art of soft selling.
Mom and dad built Westland Associates ,”whatever it takes “, into one of the largest apparel sales
organizations in the Midwest.
To the end she was a great mom, grandmother and great grandmother..
We’ll all try to live our lives as she did, making every day matter and treating everyone we meet with love
and kindness.
Hans, Lane, Sydney, Jaclyn, Wes, Kyle, Russell, Autumn and Brooks
