Jackeline Herrera Morales

“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