Jacqueline Marie Garabedian

Jacqueline Marie Garabedian passed away December 29, 2022, at Bear Hill Healthcare in Stoneham, MA, at the age of 91.  She was born December 10, 1931, in Stoneham, to John and Iris (Jivelekian) Garabedian, and spent her youth in Belmont.  Jackie graduated from Belmont High School, Cambridge Junior College, and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting from the Rhode Island School of Design in 1954.  She worked at MIT Lincoln Laboratory as a graphic artist until retiring in 1996.
 
Jackie loved her family and enjoyed life.  She viewed life through the eyes of an artist finding beauty in everything.  Her first passion was ballet.  Jackie took ballet lessons from Adolphe Robicheau, and was a dancer in the musical "Nothing So Important" in 1959, choreographed by Robicheau.   
 
Jackie was an accomplished artist and painter.  She sold and commissioned paintings and illustrations. She was a member of the Concord Art Association and the Bedford Arts & Crafts Society.  At age 85, she had a mother-daughter exhibit at the Cutter Gallery Arlington.  She also created artwork for several children’s music albums including "Slippery Fish" and "Look Both Ways".  Jackie was co-creator of "Skylife - The World of Peek-A-Boo Cove", a collection of children’s characters, stories, and plush toys, including the character "Cloudkin".  Jackie created all the illustrations and wrote some of the stories.
 
She is survived by her daughter Victoria Peterson; stepson Eric (Pamela) Peterson of Pinckney, MI; brother John Garabedian of Southborough; cousin Barbara (Garabedian) Pegnam of Laconia, NH; nephew Kristen (Helen) Carlson of Concord; nieces Laura Bernieri of Los Angeles and Stephanie (Michael) Harvey of Northampton; many more nieces and nephews.  She is also survived by special friends Francine Chillemi, Marie Roberts, and lifelong friend Joan Kennedy.
 
She was preceded in death by her parents, her son Harold Philip Peterson III, and sister Doris (Garabedian) Carlson.
 
Jackie will be lovingly remembered for her beautiful paintings and positive attitude.  She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.
 
Cremation has taken place and a graveside service will be held at a later date.  Memorial donations in Jackie's name may be made to The Edinburg Center, 205 Burlington Rd, Bedford, MA 01730 (www.edinburgcenter.org/donate).