Donald G. Jaquish: 1941-2024
Traverse City--Don Jaquish was a healer. He had a way of knowing what others needed and helped them find it. He began his 50-year career as a social worker counseling students at Flint Central High School. As a school social worker, he was dedicated to helping the disadvantaged and the privileged students alike who struggled with life's inconsistencies.
Don met Marilyn Regester, an English and Journalism teacher, there in 1967. Together they helped students, black and white, form and run the first Human Rights Council in the Flint school district.
Don and Marilyn married in 1970 with a church full of students and family to cheer them on as they left Flint to live in the Chicago area.
For eight years, they lived in the Chicago area where their daughters, Laura and Kate were born. Don worked with troubled teenagers in the school district most of that time. In 1976, Don joined with several other social workers to start Riverwoods School, to serve teens who needed more support than most area schools provided. The school struggled financially and lasted only 18 months as one by one staff members left to make a living wage.
So in 1978, the Jaquishes, seeking a small town atmosphere in which to raise their daughters, moved to Traverse City where Don was born and raised.
Luckily, Don was able to serve as a social worker at the Traverse City State Hospital until it closed in 1988. Don loved his time there with the residents. He would sometimes tell friends about some of the interesting and humorous antics he encountered. The conversation always ended with Don proudly saying, "And they (the residents) are so bright!"
As Laura and Kate grew up, Don was often there to greet their friends. Known for his great sense of humor, Don would sometimes meet his daughters' friends when they drove up, reminding them: "Wear your helmet and stay close to the curb."
Don spent the next 15 years at Community Mental Health (CMH), working with some of the same clients who had been released from the state hospital when it closed.
Don retired in 2003 and opened his private practice on West Front Street, guiding many in the community to a happier life. He closed his practice in 2017 when Parkinson's and dementia began to decrease his abilities.
After his family and his work, Don's greatest love was music. At a young age he began to play the accordion and did so for many years. He added the French horn in high school and piano on the side. But his greatest enjoyment in later years was the collecting and recording of many types of music. He selected compatible pieces and transferred them to CDs which he gave to clients, friends, family members, and always kept one of each for his own enjoyment. During the last few months of his illness, he found great comfort in listening to this music. The last day of his life, Marilyn spent hours playing as many pieces as possible, hoping that he was hearing it.
Don's struggles ended May 28 at the age of 82. Marilyn, his wife of 54 years, will miss him greatly as will his daughter, Laura Jaquish, and her husband, Cal Steinorth, and their son, Thor Steinorth; and his daughter, Kate White, and her son, Sam White.
Don's parents, Elfa (Carlson) and Lewis Jaquish, his brothers, Richard and Reggie Jaquish, preceded him in death. His sister-in-law, Jeanne Jaquish, and her son, Jim (Barbara) Jaquish and her daughter, Patty (Don) Clous, along with their children will remember him fondly. Don's cousins and their families abound in Northern Michigan, and many of them grew up together in the Traverse City area.
Through his marriage, Don became close with his extended family in Indiana. His many brothers - and sisters- in-law found him to be full of fun and humor, and happily welcomed him into their large family. He had a way of engaging them as individuals and finding a way into their hearts. When his young nieces and nephews were around, he would gather them to "screw their heads on tight." They knew Uncle Don was a healer and they loved him for it. They will miss him greatly.
A celebration of Don's life will take place later this summer. The family asks that instead of flowers, donations may be directed to: Friends of Club Cadillac on behalf of Northern Lakes Community Mental Health 105 Hall Street Traverse City, MI 49684.

Thank you to Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home for their help with arrangements.