Jacqueline C. (Earley) MacDonald

ORANGE- Jacqueline Cynthia (Earley) MacDonald, 75, of 24 Clifton Street, Orange, MA passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Saturday March 12, 2022 at Quabbin Valley Healthcare in Athol, MA following a long illness. 

Jacquie was born on April 20, 1946 in Peterborough, NH the daughter of the late John W. Earley and Lillian G. (Gerry) of Athol, MA.

She grew up and attended schools in Athol, MA graduating from Athol High School in 1964. 

On July 8, 1967, she married John A. MacDonald, Jr. of Orange, MA at St John’s Episcopal Church, in Athol, MA.  Jacquie and John lived in Orange and enjoyed over 54 years of marriage..  Together they raised two sons, Sean C. MacDonald and Scott I. MacDonald, both currently of Athol, MA. 

Jacquie attended Mount Wachusett Community College, in Gardner, MA and earned an Associate Degree in Liberal Arts, and later continued her studies in the Nursing program. 

While raising her young family she was actively engaged in the area’s Cub Scout program and served as a den mother for Pack 44 in Orange.

Years ago, Jacquie worked as an EMT on the ambulance with the Orange Fire Department.  She later worked for many years at North Quabbin Family Physicians, in Athol MA as medical assistant, and member of office staff until her retirement. 

She served the Town of Orange on the Cemetery Commission, and the Trustees of the Veterans Memorials for several years.  She often spent her spare time cleaning and caring for the gravestones at South Cemetery.

Jacquie loved animals and enjoyed spending time outdoors feeding the birds and squirrels in her yard.  She particularly loved cats and welcomed more than one stray into her home to become part of the family.  She will especially be missed by her cat Brady (whom she named after the G.O.A.T !)

Jacquie was an avid fan of the Frontier Regional High School girls volleyball team coached by her son Sean. She and John attended most of Frontier’s matches until her health prevented her from going anymore. 

She had an outgoing personality, and kind and generous spirit, with a beautiful smile that could light up the entire room.  She always did whatever she could to help and give comfort to others in need.  She was loved by her family and had numerous friends that knew and loved her as well. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

Besides her husband John, and sons Sean and Scott, Jacquie leaves a brother Charles W. Jirkovsky, III and his wife Sue, of Holderness, NH, and many nieces and nephews.

Calling hours will be held on Sunday, March 20, 2022, from 1:00 to 3:00 PM, and funeral services will be held on Monday, March 21, 2022 at 10:00 AM, both at Witty’s Funeral Home in Orange. 

Burial will follow in South Cemetery, Orange.

The family would like to express their deep gratitude and appreciation for the loving and compassionate care that Jacquie received from the staff of the Prescott and Dana units at QVHC for the past 3 years.  All of the staff there loved and cared for her like she was a member of their own family. 

In lieu of flowers, donations in Jacquie’s memory are suggested to Frontier Regional Girls Volleyball in care of Coach Sean MacDonald, Frontier Regional School, 113 North Main Street, 01373.

Witty’s Funeral Home, 158 South Main Street, is assisting the family.

Guest book online at WWW.WITTYFUNERALHOME.COM

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