Keeping Tradition Alive: The Artful Spirit of Jacky Zimmerman

The charming Jacky Zimmerman is the kind of person who brings a lively spark wherever she goes. She finds magic tucked into the corners of everyday life—whether it is in her enchanting doll collection, her home décor for every holiday, or the one‑of‑a‑kind quilts she stitches with a heart full of wonder. 

Quilting is something Jacky learned from her grandmother, who learned from her mother. “We were poor, but I had no idea!” Jacky explains. “When we had houseguests, we children would sleep on the roll‑away bed that was passed through the neighborhood. We’d roll it down the street from one house to another for whoever needed a place to sleep. I still don’t know who owned it. We all used it. We didn’t just share belongings; we shared talents. Ours was quilt making. We’d gather fabric scraps from anyone who had some, and we’d make blankets for families to use.” 

In the photo, Jacky proudly displays her great‑grandmother’s quilt from 1935—a treasure passed down through generations like a whispered story. To Jacky, it represents more than fabric and thread; it’s a reminder of the legacy she carries forward. Quilting may be considered a fading art, but in her hands, it feels very much alive—vibrant and full of possibility. 

The year before her husband passed, Jacky created seventy‑eight handmade mission quilts, each one infused with her warmth, patience, and distinctive touch. She donated all of them to people in need. 

“After my husband passed away, I decided to move from suburban Chicago to ClarkLindsey so I would be closer to my brother, who still lives in our hometown of Westville. He took care of everything after our mother died. I don’t want him to have to take care of anything for me, so moving to a life plan community was very important to me. I know that I can live here independently, and if my health care needs change, ClarkLindsey has me covered.” 

Now, in her new North Building apartment, Jacky has returned to her passion—giving back in ways that cannot be measured, only felt. Her quilt‑making studio is set up in the spare room, and another quilt is already underway, destined for a child in need. 

Whether she is watching television or listening to her favorite jazz music, Jacky is rarely without a needle, a bit of fabric, and that familiar spark in her eye. Quilting is not just something she does—it is the rhythm of her days, the language of her love, and the thread that ties her world together. 

As mission quilts are tied not machine quilted, Jacky welcomes anyone who would like to join her in tying the quilts – no prior quilting experience required.