It is with deep sadness that Kenyon mourns Michelle M. Jacquet, a longtime member of Peirce Dining Hall’s staff. Jacquet, a resident of Mount Vernon, died at Knox Community Hospital on Thursday, Oct. 21, at the age of 49. She had worked at Peirce since 2000 — first with dining services contractor Aramark, then with Kenyon’s current contractor, AVI.
Born in Mount Vernon on Aug. 13, 1972, to Frederick and Carolyn (Midos) Jacquet, Michelle was a 1990 graduate of Mount Vernon High School. She is survived by her mother, brother and two children: a daughter who has also worked at Peirce, Deanna, and son, Zach. A lover of games, Jacquet especially enjoyed playing bingo with family and friends.
“Although Michelle was not one of the more familiar faces to students, she was often the voice on the other side of the dish return carousel who would reply to a student’s ‘thank you’ with ‘have a nice day,’” said Manager of Business Services Fred Linger. “We are especially grieved for Michelle’s children and family and will look forward to getting her daughter, Deanna, back to work in Peirce where we can encourage and support her future here.”
AVI District Manager Chris Wisbey, formerly resident dining director at Kenyon, concurred. “I worked many times during the rush helping the team wash dishes, and no matter how deep in the weeds we were or how busy we were, she always took a brief few seconds to shout back to the students,” he said. “Our AVI team greatly appreciates the compassion and community that Kenyon College provides.”
A visitation will be held at the Flowers-Snyder Funeral Home in Mount Vernon this Thursday, Oct. 28, at 2 p.m., followed by a celebration of life service at 3 p.m. Memorial contributions in Jacquet’s name may be made to the Knox County Humane Society.