Jackie Lynn Lavallier Actis

Jackie Lynn LaVallier-Actis, age 59, of Clay Township, peacefully passed away on Friday, January 23rd.

Jackie was born to Andrew and Betty LaVallier in Detroit on July 6th, 1966 and lived her entire life in Southeast Michigan. For thirty years, she worked as a mail carrier for the United States Postal Service, a job she truly loved and took great pride in. Jackie and Steven began their life together with a marriage ceremony overlooking Emerald Bay in Lake Tahoe. Over the next three decades, they raised three children-Nick, Chris, and Allie. She was incredibly proud to watch her eldest, Nick, and her youngest, Allie, graduate from college, and beyond proud to see Chris follow in her father's footsteps by serving as a sailor in the United States Navy.

Some of Jackie's favorite childhood memories were camping and spending time in Florida-memories she lovingly recreated with her own children. The family spent many summers camping at KOA and enjoyed countless vacations in Florida together.

Jackie loved being near the water-the ocean, the beach, and eventually Lake St. Clair, where she built her final home. She loved swimming and could walk the beach for miles, spending hours collecting seashells and enjoying the intricate details of God's creation. She loved the outdoors and found great joy in caring for her yard and the animals that visited it. She created masterfully designed flowerbeds, provided food and respite for the birds, grew delicious vegetables and gigantic sunflowers-her favorite flower.

She was the ultimate host, frequently opening her home with her husband to family and friends, always wanting to be sure everyone was having fun and felt welcome. Jackie loved games of all kinds-lawn games, board games, card games-anything that brought people together. She loved to dance, enjoyed playing the lottery, and famously stuck to Michelob Ultra as her drink of choice.

People described Jackie as a ray of sunshine; she lit up every room she entered. Upon meeting her, it took only moments to fall in love with her. She always found something positive to say, even while battling cancer. The foundation of her life and personality was rooted in her Christian faith, which guided her to see others with kindness and to always put people before herself.

She is survived by her husband, Steven Actis; her sisters, JoAnn Thurau and Kathy Brown (Charles Brown), and her brother, Andrew LaVallier; her sons, Nicholas Andrew Actis and Christopher Wildes Actis; and her daughter, Alexandria Lynn Actis-Reitmeier (Greyson Reitmeier). She was preceded in death by her parents, Betty and Andrew LaVallier, and her eldest brother, Jimmy LaVallier.

Visitation will be held on Friday, February 27th from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Wasik Funeral Home located at 35259 23 Mile Road in New Baltimore, MI 48047. Her Funeral Mass will be on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at 10:00 am at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church; family and friends to gather at 9:30 am prior to the mass.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a cancer research charity of your choice, such as the Colorectal Cancer Alliance or Fight CRC.

Jackie's presence was a gift to everyone who knew her, and she will be deeply missed and forever loved.