Jacquelyn May (Keppler) Mawhinney, of Franklin , died peacefully of covid-19 and dementia on November 11, 2020. Affectionately known as “Big Jake from the East” by her loving husband Fr. Bill Mawhinney, Jackie took her mama role of Leo the Lion very seriously, nurturing her cubs Kathy, Debbie and Sally with abundant love. Her heart gave and received love from her close-knit family with precious additions through the years: Kathy’s husband Andy Anderson, and their daughters Sheilagh who married Tim McWade and Meghan who married Bryan Kelly. Meghan and Bryan added adorable great grandchildren Austin and Kaelyn to her treasured family. Debbie’s husband Chris Burges and daughters Susan, Kristy married to Tim Lowe, and Cathy married to Jeff Harrington, though living in WA state, were held dear. Sally and her husband David Warren brought granddaughters Abigail and Emerson to dote on in Mom and Dad’s early retirement and they have grown into beloved adult grandkids. “Adopted” daughters Nancy and Laura, and son Freddy, and many members of Jackie’s church and work families brought more joy to her life. Jackie was predeceased by her parents, Walter and Pauline Keppler, sister LeeAnn Allen, and husband Bill Mawhinney.
Jackie graduated from Faulkner Hospital’s Nursing School in 1959 and later completed a Bachelor of Arts in School Health from Lesley College. She was active in MA School Nurses Organization including terms as VP and President as she worked as school nurse for Minuteman Regional Technical Vocational High School in Lexington, MA for many years.
Church life was central to Jackie; she met Bill at a young adult’s group at the Episcopal Cathedral in Boston. Married life began as Bill completed Episcopal Theological Seminary in Cambridge, MA and Kathy was born. Debbie soon followed while Bill was vicar at Forge Village. The region’s population growth focused the couple’s energies on establishing St. Marks Episcopal Church in Westford, MA, where Sally completed their nuclear family. In Westford, Jackie was a very busy young mother and volunteered in many roles at St. Marks, plus went back to work overnights at a local nursing home. In 1971 the family moved to Waltham, MA and Jackie focused more on her nursing career, finding her niche in School Nursing. Bill was rector at Christ Church, Waltham, which was the family’s home church for the next 30 years. Post retirement, Jackie and Bill found a loving church family in All Saints in Belmont, MA.
Jackie loved international travel, especially to hot sunny places. Cruises were a favorite venue. She sewed for her young daughters, and later her artistic eye and flair for color were expressed in her travel photos, beading, and without fail, finding the perfect shade of earrings to match her outfits. Her last years of life were in Assisted Living at New Horizons, Marlborough and then Benchmark at Forge Hill, Franklin, MA. She struggled with dementia and passed peacefully from covid-19. We are forever grateful for the loving care provided to her by Harbor Care at Forge Hill and Compassionate Care Hospice.
Arrangements are under the care of the Ginley Funeral Home of Franklin (www.ginleyfuneralhomes.com).