Celebrating the life of Jackie Kirsh
by Jen McNeely
If Jackie Kirsh was alive today, she would be forty years old, probably running a successful publicity company based out of 401 Richmond, still living in the Annex, and jamming in a girl punk band on the weekends. Tragically, Jackie passed away shortly after her thirtieth birthday, after battling out breast cancer for three years.
Shedoesthecity is a site that is fun and entertaining. Second to that it’s a resource for adventure around Toronto, but in every vein it is a tool for young women. I think it’s very important to recognize that cancer is not reserved for women post fifty years old, and we all need to be very conscientious and aware that it can affect us, our family members and friends.
After learning about Jackie’s life, I quickly connected with her personality and spirit and immediately recognized that she embodied the qualities of most of our readers; tenacious, adventurous, hard working with an incredible zest for life.
2008 marks the ten year anniversary of her passing, and beyond promoting the fundraiser that her sister Stefani Kirsh-Rotstein is holding at the Old Wellington Nightclub, to raise money towards the End to Breast Cancer Walk; I felt compelled to tell you Jackie’s story.
As a child, she was a huge fan of Snoopy and got irritated when her shrine to the playful pup was tampered with. She was a petite little girl who ragged on her little sister and enjoyed living like a little princess. Her creative talents prompted her to write imaginative short stories that were far beyond her years in both humour and sophistication.
Jackie attended AY Jackson high school, and although for most of her teen years she would have been considered a bubbly prom queen type, this quickly changed when she met a guy who embodied the look and rock star attitude of Adrien Vandenberg of metal band White Snake. As most transforming teens, Jackie switched gears and became heavily into the hardcore rock scene.
While fulfilling her undergraduate BA degree at York University she discovered two passions; journalism and playing bass. Thus she took action and continued her education in the Journalism School at Ryerson and formed a girl punk band.
She found her home in the Annex neighbourhood of Toronto, where she ate Kraft Dinner and dwelled with her cat Casey. At night she stormed the stages at Lee’s Palace, Big Bop, Bovine Sex Club and El Mocambo – blasting out angsty punk tunes alongside Peaches, (before she was Peaches). Her band was called Mental Casey, perhaps a tribute to her furry friend?
She was a huge fan of Sonic Youth, Hole, Motor Dolls from Detroit and Tori Amos. Jackie had respect for female musicians that didn’t hold back.
When not relaxing in the chilled out Bloor and Bathurst ‘hood, Jackie prowled Queen Street sussing out all the latest fashion, and was particularly fond of the vivacious, and still incredibly hot boutique, Fashion Crimes. Sassy skirts would be complimented by chunky boots, her peroxide blonde pixie cut, bass guitar slung on the shoulder and a biting baby tee. She was your quintessential Queen Street girl who relished the artistic spirit, gritty street pulse and cutting edge fashion that this strip has always been synonymous with.
From a young age, Jackie knew where she wanted to land in life. She had her heart set on two destinations; starting her music publicity company and holding court in an office at 401 Richmond Street and eventually moving to Manhattan when success allowed.
By 1996, Jackie’s ambitious nature achieved her dream number one, and she began her own company, STRENGTH, a music publicity company out of suite 395 at 401 Richmond.
Shortly thereafter, Jackie’s boyfriend found a lump on her breast while the happy couple was showering together.
Jackie acted quickly and took all the immediate steps that one does in this situation. At the very young age of twenty seven it was soon discovered that she did in fact have cancer.
The chemotherapy and radiation treatments were physically excruciating, yet Jackie maintained a positive attitude and throughout it all continued to play in her band, as a way to raise money for her treatment. She had lost her hair but met crowds in smokey bars with a long pink wig.
Shocked that she was able to continue, Stefani relays that it was a means to raise money:
“Steph you don’t understand how hard it is, but I have to go out and make money. If I don’t do this, who’s going to raise this money?”
”Let people know, open up and they will help.”
“I don’t want people to feel sorry for me, I want them to look at it like they are doing something for this disease.’
Only a couple of people knew that this young girl, who rocked the stage while they drank their beer, was battling such a powerful bout of cancer.
A year went by and Jackie regained her health, switched gears to a more healthy lifestyle that included a lot of naturopathic and ayurvedic treatments. As well, she found spiritual support through practicing Buddhism. She quickly became known as a ‘Jew-Bu’.
Keeping up with her check ups, it was just two years later when the Cancer began to spread, and this time to an inoperable degree, as it had moved into her lymph nodes.
Like many Cancer patients, this time Jackie opted for a more natural treatment but when things began to appear out of control, she moved south of the border to NYC for top treatment, as at the time she was unable to receive what she needed in Toronto.
Even on her last days, smoking marijuana to curb the pain and taking baths, Jackie still maintained a sense of humour.
After spending a week at her sister’s bedside, Stefani returned home to Toronto to request more time off work, knowing that her sister’s state of health was critical. She recalls the night she arrived home, drinking wine in The Beaches with a friend, sending love out across the water to her brave older sister.
At six am the following day, she received a phone call. Jackie had passed away.
Knowing her sisters wishes, Stefani scattered Jackie’s ashes in Central Park, the epicenter of beauty in the city she had yearned to make her mark in.
Having a sister, I can’t possibly imagine how devastating this is. Stefani relays that she often wonders, “Why her? Why wasn’t it me?” Despite hereditary genes, life will undoubtedly throw a set of cards at you, and you just have to push through it. Jackie pushed hard and like every woman who battles cancer – it’s important to honour their life and celebrate who they were; Jackie was a vibrant light. “She was just the coolest chick ever. I was cool by association.” Stef remarks with a laugh and a smile.
So come celebrate the life of this cool chick with us Thursday, July 24 at one of Toronto’s best kept secrets, The Old Wellington Night Club. Stefani will be doing the 60K walk come September, and we want to help raise as much money as possible; sisters helping sisters through and through.
Join us:
424 Wellington Street, just West of Spadina
7:30 PM – 2:00 AM
Door – $20
Raffle prizes, great music and a lot of fun people honouring a life well lived.
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