09/21/2026
There are some people who become so much a part of a place that it becomes almost impossible to separate the two. For more than 50 years, our beloved “Aunt” Jacque was the heart, imagination and gentle spirit of SSDC. To generations of campers and staff, she was “Aunt Jacque”: almost mom, biggest cheerleader, mentor, friend, teacher and so much more. To us, she was our mom, wife, Nana and the center of our universe.Our beloved Nana Jacs passed away peacefully on September 18th, surrounded by the family who loved her so deeply.
It is hard to put into words what camp meant to Jacs and what she meant to SSDC. Camp was her extended family and filled her whole heart with happiness. It fueled her creativity and her passion for helping children grow into the best versions of themselves. Her spirit is woven into every corner of SSDC. It lives in our traditions, our sense of wonder and, most importantly, in the way we care for one another.Jacque loved nothing more than seeing children feel safe, celebrated, included and loved. She had the rare ability to make someone feel incredibly special without making anyone else feel left out. She loved generations of campers as her own and mentored generations of staff who went on to care for the next generation of children.
Her creativity knew no bounds. She found wonder in nature, beauty in little things and endless opportunities to make life more fun. So many SSDC traditions, our beloved Owl family, celebrations and little touches began somewhere in Jacque’s imagination.She was clever and curious. Silly and sentimental. Soft and strong.Generous, resourceful and incredibly hardworking. Above all, she loved her family and her extended SSDC family with her whole heart.
Hand in hand with Uncle Rick, she didn’t simply build a summer camp. Together, they built a community and a way of caring for children that will live on for generations.
To keep Aunt Jacque’s spirit alive, follow a few of her rules: Cherish family. Share. Show love. Be creative. Dream. Go places. Love animals. Respect others. Eat good food. Climb high. And above all, take time to be kind. For Aunt Jacque, go out and seize the day.With love + gratitude, The Blums❤️