Jacqueline S. Harris, of Lunenburg

LUNENBURG: Jacqueline Sue (Krehbiel) Harris, 68, of Lunenburg, formerly of Charlton, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, October 31, 2024, at her residence. Born in Great Bend, Kansas, Jacqueline was the daughter of the late James and Mary Krehbiel. Growing up in the Midwest, she held a deep love for the vast, wide-open plains and the endless view of the sky. Her heart always felt at home in Kansas, and throughout her life, she felt strongly connected to her roots. She graduated from Fort Hays State University with a bachelor’s degree in education, inspired by a lifelong passion for learning, storytelling, and writing. Jacqueline worked as an educator in Kansas before moving to Massachusetts. She later made her home in Charlton, where she raised her family and worked for many years as a valued sales associate at Charlton Furniture Company. Jackie grew to love the texture of the New England landscape and felt the call of the ocean, once writing, "The ocean seems to make me a little philosophical. I've had some great conversations walking near the sea." Her favorite was York Beach, Maine. Jackie was an avid reader who believed in the power of a good story. She read countless memoirs, autobiographies, and books on the Kennedy family and was always finding just the right book to capture the nuances of what it means to be human like no other. She cherished the truths that can unfold in a journal, which she kept for over twenty years as a chronicle of her life’s joys and sorrows. It documented her depth of feeling, tenderness, pain, the grace of survival, the weight of it, and the complicated ways she carried it around. Jackie had a sensitive and tender heart that was anchored by God and her loved ones. She savored every note, letter, card, and photograph sent to her throughout her life. Even when she reached a place where she could no longer respond, she held on to the memories and pieces of her life that sustained her and, for a long time, helped her live. Jackie had grace in important ways and a laugh that made you want to laugh with her. Her favorite color was pink; she had an elegant style with a perfect eye for accessories. She was a thoughtful gift-giver, generous in spirit, and a lover of retail therapy. Jackie was beautiful and charming; she drew people in and was an attentive listener, always present and gentle. At some point, anyone close to her would have shared an honest conversation over a cold Coors Light, poured into a chilled glass. Jacqueline’s warmth and creativity were evident in her many talents and interests. She loved to garden and found joy in arranging flowers, especially sunflowers, which reminded her of her Midwestern roots. Jackie had a great love of music; her musical tastes were broad, from the timeless classics of James Taylor, Celine Dion, Fleetwood Mac, and Janis Joplin to the soulful tones of jazz music, Norah Jones, Vince Gill, and Tim McGraw. She shared many drives with her twin daughters, singing aloud to love songs on Delilah Radio, and later found joy attending concerts with her longtime partner, David. Jacqueline loved her family, aspiring to leave a legacy of strong character and tender devotion for those she loved. She treasured her twin daughters, her sisters, her brother, and took immense pride in her four grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Over the years, mental illness took her further and further away from the people and life she loved. She lived a particular kind of loneliness and isolation. She loved so many people and so many people loved her, but she stopped letting love in despite what she wanted most, once writing, "Let me be who I am, for in so doing I'll leave my contribution on the face of the earth — one more precious human being who'll make a difference." She is survived by her daughters, Olivia Armstrong of Lunenburg and Krizia Armstrong of Fredericksburg, VA; her former husband, Robert Harris of Charlton, MA; her brother, James Krehbiel of Colorado Springs, Colorado; two sisters, Julie Johnson of Springfield, Illinois, and Janie Kazmaier of Overland Park, KS; her beloved grandchildren, Ethan Armstrong, Bradley Armstrong, Drew Armstrong, and Violet Armstrong; and her numerous nieces and nephews. Jacqueline was predeceased by her longtime companion, David J. Pikul of Charlton, who passed away in May 2023. A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, November 29th, from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM at the Bull Run Restaurant, located at 215 Great Road, Shirley, MA. The Anderson Funeral Home, 25 Fitchburg Road, Ayer, is assisting the family with arrangements.

Tributes

Jacqueline S. Harris, of Lunenburg

August 22, 1956 - October 31, 2024