1932-2023
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our dear mother, grandmother, aunt and friend, Jacqueline Morsellino Japngie on December 22, 2023. She died peacefully, surrounded by loved ones and the caring staff at Sunrise Assisted Living Center of Lynnfield at the age of 91, following a brief illness.
Jackie, as she was affectionately known to her friends and family, was born on November 21, 1932, in Newark, New Jersey. She was the daughter of the late Rosario Morsellino and Giacomina (Leo) Morsellino. She was raised in Sicily and Brooklyn, New York and lived for many years at her home in Valley Stream, New York. She recently moved to Lynnfield, MA to be closer to family.
Jackie attended schools in New York City and worked for many years as a seamstress for various companies in New York City’s garment industry but spent the last 20 years working at a job she loved as a retail clerk at a pharmacy on Long Island until she was 83. She made many friends of her customers, who made it a special point to only go to the store while she was working. She enjoyed beginning every morning with a coffee clutch of her friends at the coffee shop next to the pharmacy to catch up on news and local gossip. Whenever we suggested that she retire, she let us know in her Brooklyn way, that she was quite happy where she was.
Jackie was extremely generous and kind, and made many, many friends over her working years. Her favorite pastimes were going out to eat with friends and family and the occasional trip to Atlantic City to possibly strike it rich with her best friend, Dottie Sanfilippo. She also loved to cook and celebrated all the annual holidays like Christmas and Easter with huge, delicious meals at which all were welcomed. Her lasagna, eggplant parmigiana and Italian pastries were legendary! Her favorite holiday was Christmas, about which she would get so excited that she would often do her shopping in September, forget about the gifts that she had bought, and then buy them again. She ended up giving the duplicate gifts anyway because she was so generous.
She also had a special place in her heart for animals, whether her own pets, friends' pets, or the occasional stray cat, lost dog or squirrel. They always knew where they could get a good meal! And there was always one or more four-footed family members that had the best home any pet could ever hope to find.
Jackie’s dedication to her family was everything. She is survived by her son, Eugene Japngie Gant and his husband, David Bateman, of Marblehead, MA; her son Anthony Japngie, his wife Karen, and their two children Travis and Danielle of Merrick, NY; her daughter Lucille Gould, her husband, Gerald, and their daughters/spouse, Jeanine Maulucci (Bob) and Michelle Gould of Hemet, CA and her great-granddaughter, Gianna Maulucci of Hemet, CA; her adored nieces and their spouses/fiancé, Maria Lorito (Angelo) of Burlington, MA, Jacqueline Santoro (Bob) of Northborough, MA, Anna Smith (Robert) of Westborough, MA and their children; and her much loved nieces and nephews on the Japngie side of her family. She was predeceased by her beloved sister, Rose Santoro and Rose’s husband Matteo of Northborough, MA; and her former husband Eugene Japngie of Peoria, AZ.
Services are being arranged by Eustis & Cornell in Marblehead. A memorial service and celebration of Jackie’s life will be held on April 27, 2024. Additional details will be given to all friends and family.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Jackie’s memory can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association https://act.alz.org/ ; All Care Hospice www.allcare.org ; or any animal shelter of your choice.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be made at eustisandcornellfuneralhome.com for Jacqueline's loved ones.
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