ROCKPORT — Mary Jane (“Janie”) Jacques, 70, passed away Wednesday, 25 August 2021, at Pen Bay Medical Center after a period of declining health following a hard-fought battle and complications from a stroke in late June. Janie passed away peacefully and was surrounded by family at the time of her passing.

Janie was born on 26 December 1950 in Rockland to Harold G. and Roseline M. Wall. She was raised in Thomaston in her early years, and graduated from Georges Valley High School in 1969. While living in Thomaston, she met John N. Jacques. The couple married in 1970 in Rockland, and celebrated their 51st wedding anniversary on 28 February 2021.

John and Janie lived briefly in Norfolk, Virginia while John served in the Navy, and then moved back to Maine in 1971. The couple moved to their home on Thomaston Street (in Thomaston) in 1976, where Janie lived until
her passing.

Janie spent many years helping others, especially children, and concurrently worked as a teacher’s aide at Lura Libby Elementary School (1990–1994) and as the Recreation Director for Thomaston for 11 years during the mid-1980s through 1995 before opening Child Kingdom Daycare (1996–1999). Prior to retiring in 2013, Janie was a co-owner of Snappy’s Pizza in Rockland for twelve years.

Janie will be remembered for her deep devotion to her family, her candor, sense of humor, and unwavering commitment to helping shape the lives of hundreds of children in the Thomaston community. Janie was especially proud of her boys and each of her grandchildren, and was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother who brought joy and happiness wherever she went. Her wisdom, friendship, and compassionate heart will be deeply missed.

Predeceased by her parents, Janie is survived by her husband, John Jacques of Thomaston; her sons Dan Jacques of Thomaston; and Chris Jacques of Macomb, Illinois; her grandchildren Hayden Jacques of Thomaston; and Matthew and Kylie Jacques of Macomb, Illinois; her daughter-in-law, Tara Jacques of Macomb, Illinois; Laura Gould of Thomaston; her siblings Paul Wall of Manifee, California, Harold (Butch) Wall, Richard (Rick) Nelson, Barbara Kliewer, Terry Steele, Allen Wall, Tammy Philbrook, Vickie Wall, Randy Wall, John Wall, and Timothy (Tim) Wall; and many nieces, nephews, and friends throughout Knox County.

Visiting Hours will be held on Tuesday, August 31, 2021, from 5 to 7 p.m., at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock St. Rockland, where a Celebration of Her Life will be held on Thursday, September 2, 2021, at 3 p.m. 

For those friends and family unable to attend the service in person, it will be available via webcast. To participate, go to Janie’s Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com, click on the “Photos and Videos” button, and then the “Watch Webcast” button.

To share a memory or condolence with Janie’s family, please visit their Book of Memories at bchfh.com

Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland.