It is with deep regret I inform you folks that Jaquie (my surrogate Mom) passed away today.
Life sucks here today.
Jim

I am so sorry for your loss Jim. My prayers are with you. Please tell Ana I said hello.

Sorry to hear about your mom, I lost my mom February 19, 2002. Life hasn't been the same. I still think there is somewhere I can go, drive and see her.

Coming down November 12th, bringing my dad, his first time. Should be bringing my mom too!!

Take care, breathe.

My thoughts go out to you too.
Blessings !

I lost my Dad in August 2002.
It sure does suck.

I can also relate, I lost my dad on September 22,2002 and my mom on October 24,2002. 32 days apart,life as you know it will never be the same and no it does not get any easier, but stay strong.
Jackie

Miss jacquie was a very special person. Some of you may know her from Banana Beach. She was "Mom' to the island. A fantastic cook who fed us all so well,we will miss you, wonderful lady. Jaquies family is to arrive today, keep them in your thoughts.

I'm so sorry to hear that. I first met her when she was at Captain Morgan's and then later saw her on most trips. I was impressed by, among other things, the way she came back from the terrible beating and her attitude about it. She was a very nice lady and I know she will be missed.

--Lan Sluder

Sorry for your loss Jim...hang in there.

MR

So sorry to hear that Jaquie passed away. She will be missed by many friends she made over the years. I count myself honored to be one of them.

My deepest sympathies, Jim

Jim

UPSETTING TO HEAR JIM...
MY CONDOLENCES

Very sorry for your loss, Jim....your family is in our prayers!!! C&R

A poem for Ms Jackie Devine

Life gives us many blessings
but there are only a few
that compare to the joy
I had in knowing you.

you were dependable and true
and always there for me
than you for everything
you did so thoughtfuly

you were so dear to me
and very special too
I truly am very thankful
I found a friend in you...

And my deepest condolences to the whole staff of Banana's

so sorry to all of you feeling the pain of your loss.
gay

........tipping one of those two remaining Belikins towards the South......

This is sad news. The last conversation I had at Coconuts in June was with Jacquie. She did have that Motherly quality about her. She really seemed to enjoy living in AC. My sympathies to all who knew her.

Oh what a loss this is to all of us. Jacquie was one of the most special people I have ever known. We who had her as a Friend are so very lucky. How will San Pedro ever be quite the same without her cheery smile?

The memorial/remembrance for Ms. Jacks will be on Wednesday afternoon at 4pm (despite what Channel 7 says) on the beach between BC's and Sunbreeze. For those of you in the states that are not able to join us, send your thoughts and know that we are all thinking the same thing.

bump

I too am so sorry to hear of your loss.
Seems everyone was blessed that met Miss Jacquie.
Just wish I could have, had the opportunity of meeting this lovely person.
Now all of you have a new best guardian Angel, watching over you and smiling.

Thank you Chloe. That is a comforting thought. She was a bit of a guardian angel for a lot of us, I think. - and she was always smiling.

I was her friend and I desperately miss her.
Jim

Betsy, thanks. No doubt that Jacquie was Special.

Jim, she is still your friend. She took nothing of herself with her, all still remains in your heart and soul, and all around you even now, reach out and embrace her life in your grief. Celebrate the treasures she gave to all.

Listen quietly, hear what she would be saying to you right now, during your mourning for her.

Hope this is not disrespectful, but I would love to see a picture of Jacquie here. Just hoping our paths did cross on Ambergris.

Chloe, I'll get a picture...

i feel for you Jim, i lost my mama in 1976 and it was the worst day of my life. i still miss her so much.

...tears.....
peace

Here's a picture, courtesy of Jim...

Clockwise---Ana,Charlene, Jaquie,Carol Thorpe, Trish Carter

I also have some pictures of Jacquie, primarily during her visits up to northern New Mexico to visit me. I bet none of you ever saw her in long pants and in a snow storm! Chloe, your words of wisdom hit home. I ached not being there during the ceremony. Instead, I went out in the country here and it felt like she was with me marveling at the fall beauty. Bless you all who love her.

Betsy you did the next best thing, since you could not be on the beach in San Pedro.
All of us live in different regions, so one must find the right spot to commune with nature and our loved ones. The great beauty and thoughts bring us together. I wanted to say silence, but I talk out loud, when on my lonely beach, and want to share it with my loved ones, here or passed.
We all know what is like, because we return to Belize often to commune with nature in it's finest. Nature is Spiritual.

Our sincere condolences to all...

(I had a mom like that too Jim. Even though it's not a blood thing, it's mom...
and it hurts just the same.)

Here is an article about Jacquie that was in the San Pedro Sun....



In Memory of Jacquie Devine
This week San Pedro mourns the recent passing of their beloved “Miss Jacquie” Devine. Born on the 4th of June in North Adams, Massachusetts, Jacqueline Emily Devine lived to become a big part of many people's lives, not only in the United States but in Belize and Central America as well.
Jacquie was a loving mother of four children: daughters Karen Fairs and Sharon Sylvester, and sons Jimmy and Timmy Sylvester. Just this summer she happily celebrated her 70th birthday with her family, which also includes seven grandchildren, three great grandchildren, two sisters Jeanine and Rosalee, and one brother David.
After her own children were all grown, Jacquie became a “second mother” to many Central American students striving for an education in the Boston area. Two of the students who came to live in her home were from Belize, Mr. Roger Arthurs of Belize City and San Pedro's own Lisa Forman.
Following Lisa's departure, Jacquie decided to discover Belize for herself and found love at first visit. She returned to the US, arranged for early retirement from her job at Berkshire Gas Company and a year later she was back to stay. Being good-natured and quite amiable, not to mention an exceptional cook, Jacquie immediately made several good friends. She found her occupational niche in San Pedro, working for several resorts. The next several years were spent behind the front desks at a variety of resorts including the Playador Hotel, Captain Morgan's Retreat, Coconut's and lastly as the “Top Banana” at Banana's Beach Resort.
Jacquie Devine was a wonderful mother and grandma, a great pal, a superb cook and baker, but most of all she was a mentor to family, friends and all who knew her.
Last Thursday, Jacquie Devine's big old heart finally failed her, but it never failed any of us, who loved and cherished the time we had with her. May she rest in peace.

======
A memorial was held on Wednesday at BC's and over a hundred people showed up. Dennis Wolfe played music, there was a moving service, a couple of her staff members spoke and read a poem, and her Belizean son Roger read a memorial.