Jaclyn Beth MacHaffie

1950 - 2025

Jaclyn Beth MacHaffie, age 75, passed away peacefully on July 31st, 2025. We are trying to figure out what life looks like without her. She was our beloved foundation, steady and true. She was proud of the family that she created as well as her heritage and roots.

Born in Pittsfield, MA, she was the baby of her family on Caroline Street. She graduated from Pittsfield High School in 1968, after graduation she held a few different secretarial positions locally, the last one being Eaton Paper Company. It was there that she met our Dad and they built our family together. His USAF career brought us to Chicopee, Massachusetts in the late 1970's.

She had a long career in the healthcare field holding different administrative positions at Medical West, Riverbend, and Holyoke Hospital. Although she loved her career as a medical receptionist, what brought her the most joy and fulfillment was her volunteer work providing companionship and reading to hospice patients. She filled her days off with trips to see her family in Pittsfield and NY. Stanley Park adventures with her little dog, Toby, and drives to visit her children and grandchildren were always her favorites. She was the absolute best at shopping for the perfect gifts for all of us.

Her fondest vacation memories were made at Hollywood Beach; Key West; visiting the Bowery in Myrtle Beach, and all of the Rhode Island beaches from Westerly to Newport. She loved walking along the shoreline, setting her chair by the water and letting the ocean dance over her ankles. She was always on the lookout to find the perfect seashell during her travels.

She was sugar with a little bit of spice, kind, sweet, strong willed and independent. A proud & gifted artist, nature scenes in oil were her favorite to paint. Her stunning blue eyes saw beauty everywhere. Flowers brought her joy, especially Lilacs and Lilies of the Valley. She was quite the fashionista, feeling her most beautiful & confident when she was impeccably dressed with hair and makeup done to perfection. A hot ticket, she was always ready for an adventure, whether it was attending a music concert, beach bound road trip, hunting for new gift shops, or just sightseeing and joyriding. Her happiness was contagious, especially when listening to music together. We know in our hearts that she's at peace but dancing up there.

We called her Mom, Mommy, Mammaw, Jackie, Jack and Sophia. She was our Queen. She lovingly made the best lasagna with meatsauce, and homemade crepes, always rolled up in butter. Between her skin care routine and her sweet innocent nature, she truly defied her age.

She was spunky and fun, wholesome but wild, funny, charming and witty. A passionate fan of a good number of celebrities, musicians, and politicians, she enthusiastically kept us informed of all of their updates. We will especially miss her texting us cute & funny dog videos. In spite of her recent medical conditions impacting her speech, she never lost the ability to say "I love you so much", "Thank you for helping me", and "Can I buy you something?" She will always be remembered for her kindness, empathy, gratitude, sense of humor, strong faith in Jesus and love for her family.

She is reunited in passing with her parents, Jack & Viola (Kalinowsky) MacHaffie, her sister Ann Bryda, her niece Kristin Brooks, her beloved pets; Toby, Lollie, Sherry, and her pet monkey, JoJo.

She is survived by and lovingly remembered by her children. Her son, Scott LaRochelle (Shannon) and her daughter, Jackie Sansone (Bill) and her two grandchildren, Ayla and Brayden. Her sisters Carole Brooks (William) and Genie Johnston (Charles), as well as her nieces, nephew and many cousins.

Funeral Notice:

She will be laid to rest in her hometown at Pittsfield Memorial Cemetery in Massachusetts on Monday, August 11, 2025 following a service at Dwyer-Wellington Funeral Home at 220 East Street, Pittsfield, MA at 12pm. We encourage you to wear a touch of blue to celebrate Mom's favorite color, love of the ocean and passion for always reminding us to appreciate the sky's colors and clouds on beautiful days.

In lieu of flowers, we suggest that donations be made to WestMass Eldercare / Access Care Partners of Holyoke, MA. or the animal sanctuary of your choice.