Jacqueline Francis "Jackie" Agnese

Northeast Harbor and Topsham, Maine

Jacqueline Francis Agnese, 90, passed away on August 8, 2025. Jackie was born on November 9, 1934 in Bar Harbor, the daughter of Milton and Eleanor (Woodworth) Hodgkins. She graduated from Bar Harbor High School in 1952, where she was a cheerleader, majorette and enjoyed participating in school plays. She was a member of St. Saviour's Church and sang in the choir and each week attended Young People's Fellowship programs and spent two weeks in the summer at a church camp at Sebago Lake

Her childhood home was on Myrtle Avenue in Bar Harbor, and it was the playground for all the neighborhood children. In those days you played out all day until your mother called you in for supper. Her beloved father, Milt, was loved by all the children, and he would tell Jackie to round them up and put them in the truck and off they would go downtown for ice cream.

Jackie married her handsome hero (as she called him) Henri Agnese in 1954. They spent two years in Washington D.C. and then seasonally lived between Northeast Harbor and Riviera Beach, FL where they owned beauty shops. She worked during the season at Testa's Restaurant, while completing manicuring school. For twelve years they worked their two shops, while growing their family of four children. In 1966, with three of the kids of school age, they made Northeast Harbor their permanent home. They owned and operated their beauty salon in Northeast Harbor for fifty years. They both retired at age 70. After a few years on the island beyond Henri's passing, Jackie moved to Topsham to be closer to family.

Jackie was an avid hiker, covering the vast trails on Mount Desert Island starting at a young age with her father and continuing throughout her life with Henri, her children, grandchildren, and many friends. In winters she and Henri enjoyed X-country skiing. They also enjoyed ponds, spending summers in the family cottage on Long Pond in Somesville and many years, in May, would venture to various upper Maine fishing spots, included Kidney Pond, Daicey Pond, and Red River Camp to fly fish for a week. She did a little fishing, but mostly read and hiked around the area and captured the hearts of all the new people the met. She and Henri enjoyed playing cards and cribbage with their friends and family. In years gone by, they loved going to dances and after retirement enjoyed traveling in Europe and the Southwest US. Her other hobbies included X-Country skiing, knitting, needlepoint, crewel, volunteering, gardening, photography, card playing, and reading. She also love to kayak, a morning person, she would go out on Long Pond in the summer at 7:00am when it was so very peaceful and enjoyed the solitude. This is where she would plan out the day and pray for those less fortunate than she. For many years she took pictures of the four seasons on Mt. Desert Island and made greeting cards which she gave away in gift packs. She also made photo albums of many memories for her children, grandchildren and friends.

Jackie was an active member of the Parish of St. Mary and St. Jude's Episcopal Church, Northeast Harbor, where she participated in the Episcopal Church Women, Altar Guild and Prayer Shawl Ministry. She also was involved with the Literary Club of Mt. Desert, Mt. Desert Island Hospital Auxiliary, Acadia Wildlife Gardens, Mt. Desert Nursing Association, the YWCA, the Red Hat Society and Footloose Friends. She was a tireless and fearless volunteer and fundraiser for all.

Jackie is survived by 2 daughters Cheryl Agnese of Camden and Michelle Agnese of Tremont; a son Roger Agnese and wife Terry of Freeport; 5 grandchildren, Anna (Damon) Hansen and husband Erik, Joshua Shelton and wife Meredith, Zachary Damon, Christopher Shelton and wife Courtney, and Griffin Agnese; eight great grandchildren, Henry and Holden Hansen, Thatcher and Eloise Shelton, Kellen, Kaden,McKinley and Kyler Shelton; and sister Allison Guidi. She was predeceased by her beloved husband of 65 years, Henri J. Agnese, and daughter, Patricia.

A celebration of life is planned for early November.

Those who desire may make contributions in Jackie's memory to the St. Mary and St. Jude’s Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 105, Northeast Harbor, ME 04662 or the Acadia Wildlife Center, 49 Black Dog Rd., Bar Harbor, ME 04609.

Arrangements by Jordan-Fernald, 1139 Main St., Mt. Desert. Condolences may be expressed at www.jordanfernald.com