Jacquelynn R. Massara

Visitation for Jacquelynn Rae Massara (née Holmes), age 90, of West Dundee, formerly of Palatine, will be held on Thursday, February 19, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. until the time of the Funeral Service at 12:00 p.m. at the Ahlgrim Family Funeral Home, 201 N. Northwest Highway, Palatine. The Interment will follow at St. Michael the Archangel Cemetery, Palatine.

Jacquelynn was born on June 22, 1935, in Council Bluffs, Iowa, and passed away peacefully on February 15, 2026, in West Dundee.

Jacquelynn was the beloved wife of 70 years of Kenneth D. Massara; a loving mother to Julie Frost, Stephen Massara, and the late Laura Massara; and a devoted grandmother to Karina Frost. She was the cherished daughter of the late Raymond and Lillian (née Erbes) Holmes.

Jackie grew up in Council Bluffs, Iowa, surrounded by family, including her parents, Uncle Harold, Aunt Hun, and cousins Gary and Debra. When her father relocated to Omaha, Nebraska, Jackie crossed the river with her family and spent the remainder of her childhood there. It was during those years that she met and fell in love with her future husband, Ken. They were married following Ken’s service in the Korean War, beginning a partnership that would span seven decades.

Ken later accepted a position with United Air Lines in passenger service at Midway Airport, prompting their move to the Chicago area. In 1957, they settled in Palatine with the birth of their first child. Stephen followed just ten months later, and the growing family moved to a larger home across town. After Laura was born, they relocated a few blocks away to the home that Jackie would lovingly care for over the next 30 years.

Jackie found her greatest joy in being a mother and homemaker. Jackie and Ken enjoyed hosting dinner parties with friends. She enjoyed Dad’s cooking which he learned from his father and grandfather who were chefs. When Steve and Julie came home for lunch, she enjoyed reading poetry to them. Another activity she enjoyed with the children was watching the shapes of the clouds and letting the imagination shape them. She took immense pride in her family, her home, and the dogs who were always part of it. She was also a devoted daughter, caring for her mother, Lillian, in her later years. After Julie and Stephen were grown, Jackie worked as a Teacher Assistant at Pleasant Hill School—just across the street from her home—a role she truly loved.

When her granddaughter Karina was born, Jackie happily returned to full-time caregiving, as caring for babies brought her great joy. She treasured time spent with friends and neighbors and especially loved flowers and gardening, a passion she shared with her mother. Jackie was known for her strong work ethic, perseverance, and determination—qualities she carried into every role she embraced throughout her life.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.