Obituary of Jacqueline Marie Sears

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved Jacqueline Marie Sears who passed suddenly on December 29, 2024, surrounded by family after a brief illness.

Born on May 29, 1952 in Antigonish, Jackie was the daughter of the late Leo and Jessie Sears of Church Street, Antigonish. After graduation, she moved to British Columbia for work where she lived for several years before making her way back to Nova Scotia and settling in Halifax. Although she loved her life in Halifax, she always stayed connected to her Church Street roots, where she spent most of her weekends cooking up a storm for family, making several dozen trips to Sobeys, playing cards, and ensuring that everyone was taken care of, especially her parents whom she loved so much. Jackie also spent a great deal of her time in Antigonish visiting with neighbours, who were more like extended family to her.

While there were many things that Jackie loved, including a good game of 45’s, trying out a new recipe or restaurant and shopping (for others), there was nothing more important to Jackie than her family. She was the backbone of our family and was always the one to reach out with a phone call or email. No matter how busy life got, Jackie never missed a birthday or an important milestone. She lived to make everyone happy, especially her nieces and nephews and their children. All family members learned very early on that Jackie did not take “no” for an answer; she was happiest when she was doing things for and giving to others. She ensured that everyone, including significant others in the family, felt welcome, comfortable, cared for and most importantly, that they were always well-fed!

Jackie was so loved not only by her family but by her friends, neighbours, and coworkers as well. She worked for the Province of NS as a Program Administrator Officer for over 20 years and has been described by her work family as being the most popular and well-loved member of the team; kind to everyone every day.

She is survived by her siblings Anne (Lenny) Limpert, Bible Hill; David (Donna) Sears, Pinevale; Judy (Ralph) Riley, Whites Lake; Peter Sears, Antigonish; Donnie Sears, Antigonish; Sandy (Andrea) Sears, Alaska; nieces and nephews Bret, Sara, Erin, Gorman, Danny, Jenna, Jackie and Piper; grandniece and grandnephews Jake, Regan, Hudson, Xavier, Eli, Zachary and Ivy. She is predeceased by her parents, Leo and Jessie Sears.

Jackie will be remembered by all of us for her bright smile and laugh, her delicious meals (especially her famous seafood chowder), her selflessness, thoughtfulness, and generosity to loved-ones and strangers alike. She will be so dearly missed but we will be forever grateful to have had her in our lives and will cherish all the happy memories she has left us with.

There will be no visitation. Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday, January 7, 2025 in St. Ninian Cathedral, Antigonish, Reverend Danny MacLennan presiding.