D. Jacqueline Lavigne

1933 - 2025

D. Jacqueline Lavigne

Tilton, NH - Dorothy Jacqueline "Jackie" Lavigne, a native of Nashua NH and a longtime prior resident of Tilton, NH and of Prescott Valley, AZ passed away on July 3, 2025 at the age of 92, with her devoted children by her bedside.

A social person, Jackie is remembered fondly for her beautiful smile and lively spirit, her appreciation of good humor, as well as her generosity and kindness. Over the course of her life, she also drew strength from a deep well of empathy, patience, humility, and goodwill, and took special interest in children she taught who were disadvantaged by circumstance, disability, or untapped potential. Along the way she was unfailingly devoted for 67 years to her husband Richard, her four children, her four grandchildren, and a wide circle of friends near and far.

A lifelong educator and talented primary school teacher, Jackie graduated from Nashua High School in 1951 and from the University of New Hampshire in 1955. She then moved to Tilton NH where she briefly worked for Dr. Frank Robinson prior to accepting a position as a public-school teacher at Union Sanborn Elementary School in Northfield. Over the course of her 34-year teaching career, she taught hundreds of public-school students in grades 1 through 3 in Merrimack County NH and Yavapai County AZ

Upon their retirement in the 1990's Jackie and Richard traveled extensively for the next 30 years, visiting all 50 states in the U.S., and venturing to England, Scotland, Ireland, Norway, Canada, and Mexico. Jackie and Richard also spent summers in Sequim, Washington for 30 years, where they befriended and kept in regular contact with fellow travelers from all around the USA. Above all, however, Jackie and Richard treasured their visits and outdoor adventures to see and spend time with their children and grandchildren.

Jackie was a voracious reader, loved to play cards and board games, and was an enthusiast for politics and a strong believer in the importance of voting, women's rights, and progressive civic engagement. An outdoor adventurer, she found calm when hiking with Richard and her children in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, camping with family and friends at Hermit Island in Maine and Maidstone Lake State Park in Vermont, and in later life with grandchildren in tow along the Olympic Peninsula in Washington. She fondly recalled happy memories made as a child and adult, swimming the surf at Wallis Sands State beach on the New Hampshire seacoast, and summertime visits with her best friends and first cousins, Geralyn and Joan Cobleigh at their summer home in Nelson, NH. And true to form, even up to very last days Jackie still found great joy in making new friends, sharing her smiles and affection with children and adults of all ages and from all walks of life.

Jackie was predeceased by her husband Richard, her eldest child Peter Marshall Lavigne, and her brothers Marshall and Richard Cobleigh. She leaves behind the remaining loves of her life, her daughter Lisa Lavigne Saucedo of El Paso, TX, her sons Michael Douglas Lavigne of Capitola, CA and Mark Richard Lavigne of Bainbridge Island, WA, along with four grandchildren, each of whom she loved deeply, and took great pride in following their accomplishments with enthusiasm and affection: Rhiannon Genevra Lavigne Parent, Madison Catherine Saucedo, Chloe Blair Lavigne, and Luke Richard Lavigne.

A formal memorial service and celebration of life will take place at 1 p.m. on Saturday Sept 27, 2025 at the Sanbornton Congregational Church in Sanbornton Square, N.H. A private burial service for immediate family will take place separately at Park Cemetery. An informal celebration of Jackie's life for friends and family in Arizona will also be held at her home in Prescott Valley Arizona at 1 p.m. on August 16th, 2025.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to honor Jackie's legacy to CASA of El Paso, Texas at casaofelpaso.org, the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network at PanCAN (Pancreatic Cancer Action Network).org" target="_new" rel="nofollow">PanCAN (Pancreatic Cancer Action Network).org