Jacqueline Martin

Jaqueline (Lagacé) Martin, 83, of Gardner, passed away at Gardner Rehabilitation & Nursing Center in Gardner, MA on the night of Sunday, October 13, 2024, after spending her final days visiting with her family and closest friends. 

Born in Saint-Hubert, Quebec, Canada on August 30, 1941, Jacqueline was the fourth oldest in a family of thirteen children born of the late Felix and Blanche (Labrie) Lagacé. She was predeceased by her loving husband of 64 years, William C. Martin and leaves their four children, Michael Martin and his wife Ann-Marie of Gardner, Brigitte (Martin) Grenier and her husband David (deceased) of Westminster, Richard Martin of Gardner, and Lisa Martin-Forsyth of Longmeadow, as well as their five grandchildren, David Martin, James Grenier, Michael Martin, Amy Grenier and William Forsyth.

Jacqueline was often called “Kin” by her siblings and took on a very nurturing role to them. She was predeceased by brothers, Aldeo, Bertrand, Alain, Jean-Yves, and by sisters, Louiselle and Denise. Jacqueline is survived by her remaining sisters and brothers, Lorraine, Aline, Celine, Nicole, Jacques and Gilles. She also leaves behind several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law with whom she was very close, as well as many nieces, nephews and Godchildren, both in Canada and in the United States. 

Her family moved to New Brunswick where she eventually met the love of her life, Will. They were married in a beautiful ceremony at her church in St. Jacques on the cool crisp morning of September 12, 1959. In 1965, she immigrated to Gardner with her husband and young family where it quickly became well-known by friends and neighbors that she ran a very clean, highly organized, efficient and polite household. In the late 1980s with her maturing children well on their way to building their own futures, Jacqueline went to work part-time as a Dietary Aid at Wachusett Manor Nursing Home in Gardner. During her ten-year tenure where she was known as “Jackie”, she received several awards for her exemplary performance, and enjoyed doing volunteer work with the residents.

The most important thing to Jacqueline was the well-being of her husband and children. Their meals were always homemade, delicious and abundant. And she took pride in bleached white shirts and neatly pressed uniforms for her children, driving them to and from school every day, while being an active and hands-on Mom. She was a very loving, supportive and selfless mother, always placing her children’s needs first. And she beamed with pride as her family grew to include her daughter-in-law, sons-in-law and later her grandchildren. She was very proud of her children, never afraid to advocate on their behalf, as well as hold them accountable for putting their best foot forward. Jacqueline enjoyed 50s, 60s and country music and loved receiving scratch tickets as gifts. She also enjoyed skiing, skating, snowmobiling, bowling, horseshoes and softball. Partnering with her husband on home improvement projects and dancing with him every chance she got brought her such joy. And she remained fiercely committed to him until his passing, caring for him as he battled Alzheimer’s, while she herself was battling the same disease. Jacqueline was completely in love with her grandchildren and took huge pride in being a “Mémère”, giving horsey-style rides on her back, decking the house out with their favorite Christmas decorations, baking pies with them, taking them pumpkin picking and on hayrides and visits to meet Santa, attending school plays, sporting events, dance recitals, Boy Scout award ceremonies, school grandparent day events, and many a graduation. She also enjoyed preparing for her family their favorite Canadian dishes and desserts with everybody fighting over the last piece of sugar pie and last chocolate chip cookie.

Jacqueline was intelligent, a quick study and a natural athlete throughout all phases of her life. She also had a true talent for fashion apparel and home interior design. She enjoyed crocheting, watching old Elvis movies and concerts and building snowmen. She was a natural advocate and her ability to multi-task and lead was innate, with her never running out of energy, time or love to give you. She had a strong intuition and was a woman of integrity; generous, kind, thoughtful, very hard-working and fun. And she was always, a class act. She loved hosting family gatherings, attending country music concerts, spending time on the Maine coast, playing the occasional slots at the casino, attending PawSox and IceCats games, and always caught all Bruins, Red Sox and Patriots games on television. She was also Elvis’ #1 Fan. As a devote Catholic, she never missed mass at Holy Rosary Church, and for years even attended daily. Anybody who knew Jacqueline was truly blessed. They would have experienced her determination, brave spirit and caring nature. She will be greatly missed, as will her warm hugs, sense of style and the feeling she gave you that she always “had your back”. Jacqueline was truly a beautiful person inside and out.

The family has requested private services. 

Memorial Contributions may be made in the name of Jacqueline Martin to the Alzheimer’s Association 225 N. Michigan Avenue, Floor 17, Chicago, IL 60601 or on their website at (www.alz.org), or to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501, St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or on their website at (www.stjude.org), Jacqueline’s favorite charity.