Jacquelyn Elizabeth Blamire King, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loved ones on Monday afternoon. Strong-willed and ever the force for positivity, she wouldn’t have wanted us to dwell on this and instead would ask that we change the subject to her greatest accomplishments.
Jackie’s greatest accomplishments were her two children, Mark and Katherine. They were her favorite topic of conversation and she’d tell anyone that would listen just how proud of them she was. “It’s the piano/guitar lessons” she would say, smugly, as she insisted her children would be musicians.
Jackie was a nurturer and a caretaker by nature. After earning her Bachelors of science in Nursing from Adelphi University, she worked as a skilled nurse at Boston Public Hospital. She met and married Mark’s dad around this time. Although things didn’t work out with Mark’s dad, Jackie was just so over the moon about her son.
In the late 80s, Jackie met the true love of her life while working in the St. Joseph Hospital ICU in Nashua. Dr. Raymond King overheard her intentionally conspicuous complaints that she hadn’t received a valentine and promptly rectified the situation with a box of chocolates. Jackie, being a light eater, and always the sentimentalist, saved the chocolates in the freezer. We still have them 30 years later.
Jackie and Ray married and had Katie shortly thereafter; her life was complete. She elected to stay home and raise her children for many years, and was very active during their time at Broad Street School. She eventually served as a nurse at Ray’s office part time for as much as they could stand it, and spent the other time reading as much as she could and beating Ray at mini golf and card games. In her last year of life she watched her granddaughter Elizabeth one day a week, an activity which brought her much joy.
Jackie was born to be a wife, a mother, and a grandmother. Every note was thoughtful, every gift was poignant, every dinner was custom, and somehow, she was psychic and would just know what her loved ones needed right at the moment they needed it. She made every effort possible for the ones she loved.
Jackie is survived by her husband of almost 30 years, Dr. Raymond King; her son Mark Blamire, his wife Karyn, and their sons Luke and Logan; her daughter Katherine French, her husband Ian, and their daughter Elizabeth; her brother Stephen Chapman, sister-in-law Louise Kwan, and Stephen’s son Wyatt; sister Pamela Halvorsen, brother-in-law John Halvorsen, and their children Matthew and Lauren, and her mother Norma Henning; as well as many others, all of whom are heartbroken from her passing. There is no amount of time with her that ever would have been enough. Those that met and were blessed by her presence are thankful for the light and comfort she brought to their lives. She will be truly missed, but will be kept alive through the memories shared about her and in the hearts of those who knew her.
Family and friends are invited to her visiting hours at the FARWELL FUNERAL HOME, 18 Lock Street, Nashua on Friday evening, January 25th from 7 to 9 p.m. and Saturday afternoon, January 26th from 2 to 4 p.m. Close friends and family are invited to an open house at the French residence, Saturday evening to celebrate Jackie’s life. In lieu of flowers, Jackie’s children ask that you take time to call your mom, tell her you love her, and donate to your favorite charity.
Arrangements are in the care of the FARWELL FUNERAL SERVICE. (603) 882-0591. www.farwellfuneralservice.com
