Jacque was born in Des Moines, Iowa to Wyllodene and Tony Vulcano. Jacque was a lifelong learner and an accomplished student, after graduating from high school Jacque went on to receive degrees in education, theology, and school counseling. Jacque was accomplished in so many areas of her life, she lived with intentionality in all aspects of life. Whatever she pursued, she embraced wholeheartedly with her entire self. She lived as a true hippy on Whidby Island and pursued a spiritual life as a yogi. She ran a daycare for toddlers, helped put her then-husband through chiropractic school and then ran his clinic later in life. No challenge was too big. Despite losing most of her vision to macular degeneration she had a keen eye for beauty and art. She was incredibly creative and shared that passion with her loved ones, gifting people with poetry, art, flower creations, and handmade items including a set of original children’s books. She also wrote an adult cartoon book, Cosmic Cowboy with her friends.
Jacque always strived to help her loved ones be their best selves; to be healthy and well; to be safe and provided for, to be successful in work, and healthy in mind and spirit. She inspired people to always work with their strengths, to work to minimize their handicaps as she did with her handicaps. She encouraged those around her to keep trying and doing the hard work-one day it would all be worth it. She was the strong one, the steady one, pushing people on whether they wanted to be pushed or not. To empower others was always her aim.
Jacque loved to laugh and could always find a way to bring humor to situations that on the surface seemed tragic or impossible. Her laughter was a gift that brought needed levity often, just the sound of her joyous laugh made other people smile.
Jacque loved children and was a fierce and dedicated advocate for all her students as school counselor for the Nampa School District. She continued advocating for women, children and marginalized communities even after her retirement.
Jacque met Jim in 1994. In him, she found a partner and husband she could share so much with; friends, family, art, music, ideas; even their dishes were the same! They built a dynamic, fun, adventure filled life together. They hosted fabulous and fun dinner parties, traveled to Brazil, Italy, Mexico, and throughout the United States, rode bikes, hiked, skied, kayaked and just really “grew up and grew old” together as Jim says.
Jim’s family became Jacque’s family. His daughters, Jacque’s daughters, and their children became her beloved grandchildren; the greatest joy of all. She was passionate about her grandchildren and spent a lot of time with them, making cookies, art projects, taking them to shows and events, and constantly looking for ways to enrich their lives. The love she spread to her family was a constant source of warm, comforting and healing energy.
Jim had three daughters and Jacque became a mother to those three daughters also, not just in name but in spirit. She loved the girls deeply and was deeply loved by all of them.
Jacque is survived by her husband Jim, her three stepdaughters, her beloved six grandchildren, her two brothers, Mike and Mark and his wife (Lisa) and their children, various family members including her Aunt Virginia and loads of friends.
Jacque’s legacy is her love and fierce dedication to those she loved and cared about. She is and will continue to be deeply missed.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the Women’s and Children’s Alliance or Interfaith Sanctuary.
A celebration of life will be held on December 28th. Please call 347-837-2233 or 208-301-1655 for details.
