Jacqueline G. Nolette

Jackie Nolette, 71, of Sanford, died July 21, 2009. She died peacefully with her children at her side. Jackie was born in Sanford on April 24, 1938, the daughter of Agnes and Homidas Therrien, both of Canada. With a vision and a dream, she has made her mark on this community and has helped many people along the way. Her faith, family and friends provided the foundation for all that she did. She had many friends and so many circles of friends. In her heart, they were all her best friends. She had a love of all things: flowers, nature, travel, food, fun, dancing, singing, cards. And she was always eager to seek adventure.She attended Holy Family School from first to eighth grade, and on a regular basis gathered with her old Holy Family alumni friends to share stories, photos and friendships. In 1952, she graduated from Holy Family and attended St. Ignatius High School, graduating in 1956.In 1957, Jackie married Rheal Nolette of Biddeford at Holy Family Church and in 1958 their first of five children were born. In addition to raising her own children, she started taking care of other children in her home to help supplement her income. One day while reading the newspaper, Jackie came across an article in the Christmas Caravan column. Immediately, Jackie was inspired. With no phone and no driver's license Jackie's only way to communicate was to write to the newspaper. She placed an ad in the Christmas Caravan asking for volunteers to help in her area. In a very short time she had volunteers and Helpmates Incorporated was born. Jackie, with the help of her devoted and supportive husband, personally delivered packages to families. Helpmates, Inc. ran for 22 years. In 1969, Jackie was recognized in "Outstanding Young Women of America" for her volunteer work with Helpmates. For the next three years Jackie worked for Maine CEP (Concentrated Employment Program.) When the company moved out of town, Jackie started working for the York County Head Start as a family service worker. She also became affiliated with, and worked for the Big Brother Big Sister Organization. Jackie aspired to help people and was driven to do more. That desire ignited her appetite and she soon began classes at the University of Southern Maine (USM) to pursue a college education. She remained committed to her family as she immersed herself into her studies. She was by far not the average student. While staying focused and disciplined to her school work, she still managed to juggle a part-time job, her children's activities, was on the school's PTA (parent/teacher association) and was also on the committee to organize the very first St. Thomas Spring Fever Fair. She was very active in church life, involved with the family life commission and was an officer for the Ladies of Saint Ann. After eight years of balancing all of this, Jackie completed her studies.In 1981, at the Cumberland County Civic Center in Portland, with her family applauding her achievement, Jackie received her degree, a BA in Social Work with a Minor in Early Childhood Education. Jackie began her career and soon earned her title as a licensed social worker and a certified teacher.In 1987, Jackie founded the Parent Resource Center. She opened her one room office with no money and donated furnishings. She wrote a small grant for $ 3,000 to begin the parent groups and to develop and promote the programs. The Mission of the Parent Resource Center, was and still is, to provide support and education for parents, to reduce the incidence of child abuse and neglect and to strengthen and enhance the quality of family life. Jackie liked to say she planted lots of seeds and now has many gardens in York County. The Center's logo is the heart. She chose the heart because it is the lifeline. When working with families, Jackie found it important to listen, to support them, to be a resource, and to always look for the positive in every individual. She would eventually earn herself the title of The Heart Lady. The Center celebrated it's 20th year of service in May 2007. While she may have retired, she has never quit working. She continued to work until recently with the Adult Education Program at Massabesic High School, having provided parenting and anger management classes for four years at the York County jail and facilitates the Grandparents Raising Minor Children support groups and workshops. Jackie also worked for the Sanford Community Adult Ed offering a variety of diploma programs. She had been working two days a month with families in the Family Read Program and most recently she instructed a class called Jamming with Jackie, how to play the spoons. Jackie maintained her charitable work through the Ladies of St. Ann and was a Regent for the Daughters of Isabella.When Jackie wasn't working she was busy attending her grandchildren's activities. She was active swimming at the YMCA , singing with the Seaglass for the Performing Arts, traveling and spending time at Pine Point beach. Her friendships and connections with every group was a foundation to her strength.Jackie was predeceased by her husband, Rheal in 2003, her brother Henry in 2002, mother Agnes in 1993, and her father Homidas in 1991. She is survived by her sister Lea Wayland of Garden Grove, CA, sister Rachel Pierce and her husband Timer of Plainville, CT, brother Roger Therrien of Sanford, son Michael Nolette, his wife Cathy and their children Julie and Billy of Mesa, AZ, son Tom Nolette and his wife Josie of Bryant Pond, her daughter Ann Marie Bougie and her children Seth and Meghan of Springvale, son Paul Nolette, his wife Debbie and their children Lindsey and Evyn of Sanford, and her son Peter Nolette, his wife Kelly and their children Hailey, Ian and Molly of Sanford, and 2 great grandchildren.Relatives and friends are invited to call on Friday from 2-4 and 6-8 PM at the Carll-Heald & Black Funeral Home, 580 Main Street, Springvale. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday at 10:00 AM at the Holy Family Church of St. Therse of Lisieux Parish, 66 North Avenue in Sanford. Burial will follow in St. Joseph's Cemetery in Biddeford.In lieu of flowers, donations can be made on Jackie's behalf to S.C.A.E. (Sanford Community Adult Education), to the Parent Resource Center or to St. Thomas School.Arrangements are under the direction of the Carll-Heald & Black Funeral Home, 580 Main Street, Springvale. Condolences may be expressed at the Condolences tab at left.