Melissa L. Jarecke
June 4, 1941 – November 20, 2021
Melissa Jarecke passed away peacefully after a valiant battle with the Covid-19 virus on November 20, 2021, at age 80. She was born to Eunice Parsons on June 4, 1941. She attended North High School in Omaha and graduated from Peru State College in 1964.
As a successful businesswoman who worked for over 53 years in real estate, Melissa helped countless people find their homes——which she thought of as her vocation. She loved the theater, traveling, and spending time with her friends and her family.
Melissa was preceded in death by her mother, Eunice. She is survived by her children: Kenneth, Leonard, Mark, and Meredith; her grandchildren: Jessica, Shadya, Amanda, Yasmine, Zane, Tala, Addy, Beckett, and Aleksa; and her great-granddaughter, Hazel.
VISITATION: 9:30am to 10:30am, followed by CELEBRATION OF LIFE and Time of Sharing: Wednesday, Nov. 24th at 10:30am at the West Center Chapel. Interment, Evergreen Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Omaha Community Playhouse.
To view a live broadcast of Services, please go to www.heafeyheafey.com and click the “View Live Cast” button on the home page.
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Melissa Jarecke passed away peacefully after a valiant battle with the Covid-19 virus on November 20, 2021, at age 80.
She was born to Eunice Parsons on June 4, 1941, in Centerville, Iowa. She attended North High School in Omaha and graduated from Peru State College in 1964.
As a successful businesswoman who worked for over 53 years in real estate, Melissa helped countless people find their homes — which she thought of as her personal vocation.
She loved the theater, traveling, and spending time with her friends and her family. An award-winning actress, Melissa appeared in plays and musicals on many stages throughout Omaha. She appeared in twelve different productions at The Omaha Community Playhouse, including Steel Magnolias, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, and Lend Me a Tenor.
She also appeared in seven films, including California Dreaming (2007) with Dave Foley, Lea Thompson, Vicki Lewis, and Patricia Richardson. In the movie Lovely Still (2008), she worked opposite of legendary actor Martin Landau. She never stopped acting. She appeared in 14 episodes of the TV series Stuck. Her final appearance was in an episode called “Birds of Sorrow” in 2020.
Melissa was preceded in death by mother, Eunice Parsons. She leaves sons: Kenneth (Souad), Leonard, Mark (Kipp); daughter, Meredith Carlson (Eric); grandchildren: Jessica (Andrew), Shadya, Amanda, Yasmine, Zane, Tala, Adeline, Beckett, and Aleksa; great- grandchild, Hazel.
“I am ready to meet my maker. Whether my maker is prepared for the great ordeal of meeting me is another matter.”
—WINSTON CHURCHILL
Donations to the Omaha Community Playhouse may be made on her behalf.
17 Comments
Friend and classmate. Will be truly missed.
Ken – keeping you and your Famiky in our prayers.
Prayers for healing as you learn to live without her. May your memories be cherished along with the guidance she brought to your lives live in you forever.
Melissa was a force of fun and involvement in all things “life.” She was always ready for an adventure, just a chat, a trip or anything that came up involving people and places. My memories of times with her are abundant and I treasure the hilarity that often accompanied our times together. I will really miss her,. Love and condolences to her family.
Our thoughts and prayers are with her family.
Ken – Leonard – Mark -Meredith. So sorry for the loss of your Mom! You are in our prayers.
Melissa was a friend through theatre. While I never had the pleasure of working on a show with her, she was a talented actress and such a lovely woman. I saw her at multiple theatre events over the years, and she will be greatly missed by our community. Her family is in my prayers.
I am sad to learn about Melissia’s passing.. I am so sorry for your lost. Melissia was a wonderful inspiration to all in the Real Estate Community and a true Pioneer who was a great role model for women in Business. She was always pleasant to work with and maintained a high level of Professional integrity.
I’m so sorry to hear about Melissa‘s passing. I have such fond memories of her from growing up in Omaha.
Keeping the entire family in my prayers.
Steve Baker
Richmond, VA
My family sad to learn about Melissa’s passing and we are so sorry for your lost. Melissia was a wonderful lady. She was always pleasant to work with and maintained a high level of Professional integrity.
I’m very sorry to learn of Mrs J passing. I was one of her students during the 1965-66 school year at Bellevue JH. I loved her Speech and Drama Class during our 9th grade year. Though I didn’t enjoy making a presentation at the beginning of the year as a new student to the school, she made the experience enjoyable as the year progressed. I even had a lead in the our group play during 2nd period , “Dust of the Road”. I played Judas.(Cathy Hermann was Student Director)
I believe Mrs. J gave me the tools and fortitude to make my daily presentations as a Biologist, Student Council Sponsor, and a career Science Educator. I’m sorry to learn she was unable to continue her good works in the classroom; however, it appears Mrs.J found a successful purpose outside of the classroom.
My deep condolences on the loss of your beautiful mother. Prayers for strength and peace for your family.
Meredith,
Cindy and I are praying for the whole family.
time will heal the pain of loss
remember the good times!
God’s Best to you and yours!
Meredith and Family, Sincere condolences from Denver. I’m very thankful I was able to watch Melissa’s service online. You, your siblings and your extended family are such a testament-to and reflection-of her.
Melissa, you are truly missed. Sincere condolences to your family. She will never be forgotten!!
I had to write as I just became aware of Melissa’s passing. I met Mellissa thru my father, Bill Heckendorn. He worked for her for many, many years at J real estate. She was a great friend to my Dad, Mom as well as our entire family. I am so very sorry to know she is gone. She was such an interesting, engaging, smart, kind and loving lady. I’m proud to have known her. My deepest condolences to her family. I know how she loved all of you.
I just learned today of Melissa’s passing last November. I knew Melissa thru my father, Bill Heckendorn. My Dad worked for her at J Real Estate for many, many years. Melissa was a great friend to my parents as well as our entire family. I feel blessed to have known her. She was a trailblazer! She was also talented, smart, interesting, kind and a great listener. I know her family must miss her very deeply. I feel like I lost a family member in her..
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