Jacqueline Marie (Parker) Beckford, 75

Jacqueline Marie (Parker) Beckford, 75, of Marion,  passed away at home with her children by her side on Feb. 6, 2021, four days after her 75th birthday.  

Jacqueline was born on Feb. 2, 1946 in Darby, PA to Alice (Carpenter) & LCDR Francis Parker.  As a child she loved to vacation in Harpswell, ME with her family.  She played tennis, enjoyed swimming and won many trophies from her days on the basketball court.  

After graduating from Melbourne High, she moved to Melrose, MA.  There she met the love of her life, the late George W. Beckford, Sr., who asked her to marry him on their first date. They were married within the year and enjoyed 54+ years of marriage. They went on to have four children whom she cherished. Jacqui dedicated her life to her family, children and precious grandchildren. She enjoyed riding on the back of her husband’s Harley and had fond memories of trips to Lake Winnipesauke, Maine and Quebec. 

Jacqui raised her family in Weymouth, MA before moving to Marion, MA where she was owner and operator of a successful hobby shop, “Just a Hobby” in Marion, MA.  You could find her there most weekends selling model boats, trains and airplanes.  Here she met many patrons who became life-long friends. She then went on to work for Laidlaw Bus company as a school bus driver. She drove for 23+ years for the Old Rochester School District and was infamously known as “Rochester 6’s Mrs. B”.  She would light up when telling bus stories and got the biggest kick out of witnessing her former students put their own children on her bus.  Her legend lives on in Rochester as she implemented the “Last Day of School Bus Parade & Band” at Rochester Memorial School.  Students still look forward to this sendoff tradition each year complete with teacher band and instruments.  When she wasn’t cheering on her students she was cheering on her favorite Boston sports teams. Jacqui was a huge Patriots and Red Sox fan and was crushed when Tom Brady became a Buc. She would watch every game and made sure to touch base with her brothers in Florida whenever they won! 

Jacqueline was predeceased by her husband, George Wayne, her oldest son, Dale Clayton and her youngest daughter Dawn Marie. She is also predeceased by her best friend, Carolyn Chace of Weymouth, whom she missed terribly. She is survived by her loving daughter Kimberly Amato and husband Michael of Rochester, devoted son George Beckford Jr of Marion and fiancé Elizabeth Cidade and cherished daughter in law Louanne Kelliher and husband Sean of W. Bridgewater.  “Naannie” had four amazing grandchildren, Michael “Vinnie” Amato, Haleydawn Amato, Gabriella Amato and Keith Clayton Beckford. She loved her grandchildren fiercely and was happiest playing board games, Scrabble, Uno or Connect Four with them – always with her famous grilled cheese sandwiches on the side! They will miss her greatly. Survivors also include her four beloved brothers, Francis Parker and wife Paulette of Bailey Island, ME, Edwin Parker of Hudson, FL, Thomas Parker of Malabar, FL and Paul Parker and wife Dena of Palm Bay, FL, her dear brother-in law, Woodrow Beckford of Salisbury NH as well as her lifelong friends, the Les Chase family.

There will be a socially distanced graveside service at Rochester Center Cemetery Dexter Lane, Rochester, MA February 27, 2021 @ 11:30 with details of a celebration of life to follow. Arrangements made by Bartlett Funeral home of Plymouth, MA. https://www.bartlett1620.com/Plymouth-obituaries