
Celebrating the Life of
May 23, 1983 — March 3, 2024
“Her art was a reflection of her personality, full of life and passion.” Carmen Miranda
Jackie Herrera Morales 40, of North Miami, Florida, passed away in Miami, Florida, on Sunday, March 3, 2024.
She was born in Lima, Peru in 1983 to Maggie Morales. Jackie grew up in Ica, Peru with her family who raised her with so much love and care. Jackie loved to learn all the local dances of Ica such as Festejo, Lando y Zamaqueca. She attended and graduated from Arbulu school in Ica before moving to the USA. One of her fond memories in school was being the ensemble leader for the school marching parade.
HIGHLIGHTS of Jackie's Life:
1. FIANCE - Jackie met the love of her life, Marco Diaz in elementary school at Arbulu in Ica, Peru. Jackie and Marco participated in the same school marching ensemble when he played an instrument and she led the parade. Excited to start their new lives together, the two engaged to be married on February 11, 2022 In Hollywood, Florida.
2. PETS - Jackie, Maggie and her aunt Katita had a soft spot for their furry friends, treating each and every one like the valuable family member they were. Belinda was a sweet little Maltese puppy who was the love of her life. She was heart broken when little Belinda crossed the rainbow bridge and we are certain they are reunited now. Lua and Oreo are two little Schnauzer puppies who were brought from Ica, Peru. Oreo was adopted by her good friend Gisella and Marti. Lua met Fruko and fell in love and they had beautiful puppies which brought Jackie their most recent addition to the family two very cute male puppies named Inti and Chasqui.
3. FRIENDS – Jackie and her friends were practically inseparable throughout their lives. From BBQ al Carbon in her backyard to dancing till 7:00 am and then offer to prepare her famous Aguadito at the end of the party, they were together through it all.
4. JOB – Jackie was passionate about her career as a Brazilian and Peruvian professional dance instructor. She also was successful in her side jobs as a Makeup Artist and freelance photographer. Her full time position was as an independent Finance consultant. One of her regular clients since 2019 was with ICP which is a company run by one of her good friends Flavio Travano.
5. COMMUNITY GROUP - Jackie was an active member of both Brazilian and Peruvian cultural organizations, devoting their time and energy to spreading cultural awareness to the local community and abroad. She organized Brazilian dance symposiums and taught Samba and Samba de Gafieira at Botero in North Miami. Jackie assisted with Peruvian shows together with her friend Andres Arevalo of Tumba y Cajon.
6. HOBBIES - Everyone knew she LOVED to dance!!! She enjoyed creating her own Brazilian head pieces and loved performing with her close friends in both the Peruvian and Brazilian community. One of her close Brazilian friends Monica said she loved taking Samba clases with Jackie and said Jackie was so good she considered Jackie Brazilian at heart.
7. TRAVEL - Jackie loved to travel and especially with her good friends. Tia Catita shared her knowledge of all the wonderful places Jackie got to visit in her lifetime. ASIA - Turkey, India, Tibet, Nepal and Everest. AFRICA - Morocco and Egypt. EUROPE - Spain, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece and Italy. SOUTH AMERICA - Brazil, Chile and Peru. CENTRAL AMERICA - Panama and Guatemala. NORTH AMERICA - Mexico.
Jackie will always be remembered for always being full of life and love and the way that she always gave a helping hand and cared for others as if they were her own family. We’ll always remember her jokingly imitating everyone and being the life of the party. When her friends and guest were visiting she would say “ Are you hungry” and whip up an amazing Peruvian meal in minutes. We couldn’t have asked for a better daughter, sister, niece, friend, and will miss Jackie every day. Her memory will live on in the hearts of all those who loved her.
The Celebration of Life event is on March 6, 2024 at Funeraria Latina Emanuel located at 14990 West Dixie Highway, North Miami Beach, FL 33181, and the second Memorial Service date will take place in Ica, Peru in the near future and they family will provide more Information after Jackie’s body arrives in her birthplace.
“Because that's how we need to live life, in contact with nature, free, and happy ..... plain and simple” Jackie Herrera

Wednesday, March 6, 2024, 5:30 pm - 11:00 pm Eastern Time
14990 West Dixie Highway, North Miami Beach, FL 33181
Please share a photo or video, or post a heartfelt condolence to the family.
Las mejores historias e imágenes están en nuestras mentes, y las vivencias impregnadas en cada célula... Te conozco de tanto tiempo, Jackie, fuimos vecinos y con la familia Morales creamos un lazo irrompible de amistad y buena onda. Tantas historias, bailes, risas, tristezas y reveses; hermana. Me es difícil asimilar que ya no te podré ver o leer o escuchar en el WA, charlas amenas y recurriendo a la nostalgia de nuestra época de niñez hasta la fecha. Dios ha ganado un valioso y único ángel contigo, solo te pediré que tú luz nos guíe siempre y ya nos encontraremos allá. Te quiero mucho hermanita linda, flaca linda.javichin
May you shine on our dear friend 🙏🏽💓✨!! Here Jackie dancing a Peruvian tondero.
Con el corazón roto por la pérdida de la hermosa y vibrante Jackie

So sorry for the loss of beautiful vibrant Jackie
My deepest condolences. Jackie has been a wonderful friend for years. She brought Samba de Gafieira to my dance studio and we danced , laughed and sometimes cried. She brought joy and laughter and sincerity and dedication to each moment. My deepest condolences and love to her family and loved ones.

Dance forever my Pineapple Queen
Jackie, you were a diamond in the rough. Your energetic spirit, true compassion for people and life and your gift of gab will never be forgotten.
Descanse em paz, minha querida amiga!✨ A Peruana mais Brasileira que eu conheço!💚🇵🇪💛✨ Em nome da comunidade Brasileira os nossos sentimentos a todos da família e amigos!🙏🏻✨

Marco and Jackie trip to Orlando
I don't have the words to express my grief and disbelief that my little ray of sassy sunshine has passed on from this world. Jackie always said I was so gringo with my emotions, giving little back tap hugs and avoiding conflict where ever possible, you're so gringo she'd say. So I will honor her memory with sharing some memories. In sharing these memories I know they will bring her peace, comfort and perhaps some laughter. In November 2011 my friend Bianca Veloso White, Jackie and I shared a girl's trip to India. Of course Jackie decided at the last minute to join, because you know she was always running a bit late to things. The trip wouldn't have been the same without her. While Bianca and I approached the trip backpacker tourist style with our braids and sweaty t shirts, Jackie was our Bollywood actress with full hair makeup and jewelry wherever we went. Locals actually thought she was a Bollywood actress. Whether we were going on a city tour, hiking through the Himalaya foothills, floating down the Ganges or going to the Taj Mahal at 5am for the best pictures people stopped for a picture with her. In fact she purchased so much jewelry on our trip she had to make room in the suitcase by donating clothing to the Tibetan refugee village in Dharamsala so she could bring back all her treasures. She found serenity in Dharamsala, the home village of the Dali Lama, perhaps it was the mountains and peaceful monks but we would sit in silence listening to the wind in the trees. We experienced the full range of human emotion on that trip but above all we laughed the entire journey. I know we will continue laughing together in the beyond, until then your sweet presence here will truly be missed. Love you girl.
I don't have the words to express my grief and disbelief that my little ray of sassy sunshine has passed on from this world. Jackie always said I was so gringo with my emotions, giving little back tap hugs and avoiding conflict where ever possible, you're so gringo she'd say. So I will honor her memory with sharing some memories. In sharing these memories I know they will bring her peace, comfort and perhaps some laughter. In November 2011 my friend Bianca Veloso White, Jackie and I shared a girl's trip to India. Of course Jackie decided at the last minute to join, because you know she was always running a bit late to things. The trip wouldn't have been the same without her. While Bianca and I approached the trip backpacker tourist style with our braids and sweaty t shirts, Jackie was our Bollywood actress with full hair makeup and jewelry wherever we went. Locals actually thought she was a Bollywood actress. Whether we were going on a city tour, hiking through the Himalaya foothills, floating down the Ganges or going to the Taj Mahal at 5am for the best pictures people stopped for a picture with her. In fact she purchased so much jewelry on our trip she had to make room in the suitcase by donating clothing to the Tibetan refugee village in Dharamsala so she could bring back all her treasures. She found serenity in Dharamsala, the home village of the Dali Lama, perhaps it was the mountains and peaceful monks but we would sit in silence listening to the wind in the trees. We experienced the full range of human emotion on that trip but above all we laughed the entire journey. I know we will continue laughing together in the beyond, until then your sweet presence here will truly be missed. Love you girl.

Our trip to India

Our India trip together
You’ll live in hearts forever, Jackita! Love and miss you 💕 Saudades!
Jackie teaching Marco godson to dance

Young Jackie in Peru with friends

Jackie with Mom and Tia Katita

Jackie dancing her Marinera at the Disney EPCOT Food and Wine festival.

Peruvian culturl event

Hermano de Jackie Edgar Herrera con su family en Guatemala

India

Brazil

Traveled to India, Egypt and Turkey

Makeup and Photography

Bellydancing

Festejo and Peru Expression performances

Tumba y Cajon events

Friends and good times

Marco and Jackie engagement

Samba de Gafieira

Samba performances

Brazilian events

Family in Peru

Jackie with her Mom Maggie fresh from Peru year 2000

Baby Jackie at one years old.
Mi más sentido pésame que Dios les de la fortaleza en estos momentos tan difíciles. Mi Jackie Dios te tenga en su Gloria 🙏🏽 💔😢te quiero mucho y siempre te recordaré besos hasta el cielo.
Mimiii aún me cuesta asimilar la idea de no volver a escucharte o verte. Este año nos volveríamos a abrazar y recordar las historias, los bailes, las risas y las lágrimas. Tantas cosas que hemos compartido. Has sido mi compañera en un momento que más lo necesité, junto a mi hermana Natazha Armas y mi amiga del alma Gisela McCoy . Gracias Gise y Tash por mantenerme cerca estos días, porque sí Mimi estuve contigo en mis oraciones. Hoy el cielo te recibe con cielos abiertos y los angeles te llevan al encuentro del padre con tu maravillosa sonrisa y tu gran corazón. Vuela alto mi Jackie Herrera Morales . Mimi vente pa' ca! Hasta siempre bonita!
Mi más sentido pésame a toda la familia. Que Dios les de mucha fortaleza en estos momentos tan duros. Jackie estará siempre en el corazón de las personas que le conocieron porque fue siempre una persona muy especial. Que descanse en paz y Dios le reciba en su Gloria. 🙏
Show your support by sending a sympathy gift or making a donation.