South Portland – Jackie Patrick (Guerrette), 90, of South Portland, passed away peacefully surrounded on August 25th, surrounded by her daughters and grandchildren.

She was born September 2, 1935, in Biddeford, ME, to parents Oscar and Lucy Paradis. The youngest of five children, she is predeceased by her brothers Robert and Fred Paradis and her sisters Jeanette Craft and Claire Direnzo.

She is survived by her daughters Debra Therrien of Vernon, CT; Renné and spouse Jeff Church of Windham, ME; and Tracy Guerrette of South Portland, ME; and her grandchildren Derek and spouse Veronica Therrien-Bryant of Utica, NY; Taylor Church of Baltimore, MD; Walker and spouse Lily Church of Kyle, TX, and great-granddaughter Amelia Church.

How do you summarize the life of an amazing woman and mother? Widowed at 29 with two young daughters, she relocated to Maine to be closer to her brothers and sisters. She met and married Albert Guerrette and became mother to seven stepchildren. Our blended family was complete with the addition of our youngest sibling, Tracy. Albert passed away in 1989.

Once the youngest children reached middle school age, Jackie went back to school, obtaining CNA and social worker designations. She started her professional career as a nurse’s aide at the Barron Center and worked her way up to social services where she touched the lives of hundreds of Maine residents. She was most proud of creating and managing Portland’s first workfare program.

Jackie’s love language was food. Always baking, she was quick to drop off a batch of whoopie pies or a zucchini bread to neighbors, friends, and coworkers when she felt they needed a little pick-me-up, pork pies made by the dozen for friends and family around the winter holiday season, and roast lamb for a neighbor, just because he loved lamb and was always willing to lend a hand when needed.

Jackie met and married the love of her life, Edgar Patrick, late in life. They traveled together, loved music, and enjoyed life to its fullest surrounded by family.

Jackie loved her family, instilled her daughters and grandchildren with a thirst for knowledge, love of nature, and the importance of family.

She will forever by in our hearts.

In lieu of flowers please consider donating to the Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland.