Obituary of Jackie Grandi

Jackie Marie Grandi left this life on November 16, 2021 at St. Luke’s Hospital in Duluth, MN. She was born April 15, 1956 in Minneapolis to Clifford and Eldora Grant. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dante Mario Grandi (JR), her parents (Clifford Grant, Eldora Braun), and brother Steven Grant (Minnow).

Jackie was a graduate of Duluth’s Cathedral High School. She went to work at Wendy’s (Miller Mall) from the day it opened in 1984 and quickly became the general manager until she retired just a few years ago. Her Wendy’s was the highest producing Wendy’s with the lowest employee turnover in Minnesota. After all her very early morning prep work she enjoyed working the window for her many customers over the years. She loved when kids, dogs, and cats came through her drive thru.

Jackie loved to cook and bake, was excellent at both, and could nail a Julia Childs impersonation in the mix. She loved hosting huge holiday dinners for her family (and anyone else who was hungry). Three Thanksgiving turkeys and at least five pies (don’t even think everything wasn’t made from scratch) were normal. Everyone took home her treasured meals on wheels. At Christmas there were so many presents for everyone (especially the kids) that the garbage bags of wrappings were like having three extra people in the room. She wanted to be with her grandchildren all the time and attended every school and sports event for them. She was very appreciative of the great help her granddaughters were after JR passed away. Jackie loved her cats and dogs, and had beautiful gardens in her yard for her beloved birds. She fed all the critters in the West End and had the fattest squirrels and raccoons in town.

Jackie and JR’s marriage welcomed children Sara (Johnnie Parker and their daughters Priya and Neila), and Dante (Mandi, and their sons Leo and Milo). Jackie is also survived by her brother Terry Grant (Laura) and sisters Jennifer Sillanpa (Larry) and Kim Wolner (Pete). She is also survived by her beloved cat of 23 years, Stumpy.

A celebration of Jackie’s life will be held at a later date.

Have a great Thanksgiving and Christmas for Jackie!