Jacqueline A. Bibeau, 63, born on December 22, 1960, of Newtown, passed away on Friday, August 30, at Danbury Hospital.

Jacqueline (Jackie) attended Western Connecticut State University earning her bachelor’s degree in psychology, then went on to run a branch of a multi-million dollar HR sourcing business, Olsten Staffing Services in Connecticut. Jackie was a precocious leader with achievements beyond her years, but when her daughter Theresa was born in 1990, Jackie sacrificed that to dedicate her life to staying at home to raise her child.

Jackie was a “people person” and was someone who would make friends wherever she went, whether it was someone she met at a CVS checkout line or someone she encountered while volunteering with the elderly, something she was passionate about in the years before her death. She was witty, but also kind, and people she encountered throughout her life were drawn to her for her ability not only to make them laugh but also to be a genuine friend.

Jackie’s creative side started at a very early age when she began making drawstring pouches for her mother’s friends’ Dunhill lighters. That creativity grew into making clothes, which included suits and long evening gowns. Jackie was an accomplished seamstress and as she grew older if you needed anything hemmed, regardless of how complicated, she was your go-to. Her creative side also led to many years of stenciling the interior of her house as well as those of friends and family. She would also create beautiful needlepoint wall coverings that she would give as gifts. Her gardening skills were unparalleled and her house looked beautiful from every angle.

She loved planting trees and flowers along her driveway and in the gardens around her house. Unfortunately, her decorating skills could get a little tricky as she loved her beautiful cement elephants on each side of her driveway. If you didn’t back out just right you would hit them and dent your car. If anyone asked her to move them back even an inch she would say “no no” they’re perfect where they are.

Jackie loved to shop and she and her sister could be found for many, many years shopping at the mall, mostly at Filene’s with their coupons trying to find the best deals. They also loved spending their shopping trips at the Christmas Tree Shops and Mikasa. They would be giddy going home with their packages comparing how much money they saved on all the deals they got on items they never needed in the first place. Jackie loved QVC and her love of shopping took on a whole new dimension when online stores became a thing. Boy did Jackie love Amazon. Jackie was on a first name basis with the US Postal, UPS, FedEx, and of course Amazon drivers.

Jackie was one of the strongest people her immediate family knew. She beat breast cancer in 2004 while raising a teenager, and then many years later was faced with the unexpected death of her husband Albert Bibeau, to whom she was married for 36 years. Even after Al’s passing, Jackie persisted for as long as she could as the pillar of strength for their remaining family unit.

The ending of Jackie’s life should be seen as part of a love story, rather than being focused just on her death and the devastating loss that she has left. Jackie and Al were soulmates, and without Al, Jackie struggled to thrive with the same vigor on Earth. The only thing Jackie wanted after his death on February 3rd, 2021 was to be with him again, and when Jackie succumbed to a several year-long illness, she was reunited once again with the love of her life. Theresa was the most important person in her life. Jackie’s love for her daughter kept her going and being her mother was her greatest joy.

Jackie is survived by her only daughter Theresa Bibeau, currently of Long Beach, Calif.; her father, Ronald Cains (Madeline) of Charlotte, N.C.; her sister, Valerie Moss (Scott) of Sandy Hook; brother, Parker Cains (Devon) also of Charlotte, N.C.; and many nieces and nephews and wonderful friends and extended family. She was predeceased by her mother, Marie Cains; and brother, Dean Cains.

Funeral services will be announced at a later date.

The Newtown Bee September 6, 2024