It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Jacqueline(Jackie) Connell on December 23rd at Langley Gardens Senior Home in Langley, BC.

Jackie was born to Evelyn (Gauthier) and Napoleon LaCross in Bennington Vermont; and grew up with an older sister Pauline, older brother Roland and younger brother Francis (Red), as well as many other relatives. It was a ‘love at first sight’ moment with her and John (Jack) Connell in the high school years. Then after testing his patience with her jovial personality by blowing a bubble gum kiss into his face, they married September 29th, 1951 on the feast day of the Holy Archangels.  Their first-born son was raised in Bennington while Jack was in the military until 1953. Then came 3 more boys and 3 girls, each one born a little further west in different states, until they came to settle in North Vancouver for 52 years. In addition to raising a family, Jackie worked as a senior care worker and volunteered with the CWL at St. Stephen’s Parish.  Her faith in the Holy Trinity was very much a part of her life, giving her insurmountable strength and patience. It was not hard for her to ‘be a kid again,’ laugh and have fun with her 20 grandchildren and many great grandchildren. She loved to garden, play cards, paint and colour. In her younger years she enjoyed the camaraderie of baseball, curling, bowling and square dancing.  Cheer always spread from her with kind words, a subtle joke, or an interesting dance.

Never complaining even when times were tough, instead she would say:

“the first 100 years are the hardest”  or “one day at a time.”

Jacqueline is survived by her husband John Albert Connell; seven children, Kurt(Grace), Michael(Marcy), John(Liz), Eric(Coleen), René(Rod), Rebecca(Leo), Jessica(Roland); sister-in-law Linda Oslizlo; many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

A celebration mass of Jacqueline’s life will be held at St. Stephen’s Parish in Lynn Valley for January 2021.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of your choice, or a bouquet of flowers for yourself in memory of her.