Jacqueline "Brathwaite" Henry

Celebrating the life and legacy of Jacqueline Virginia (Brathwaite) Henry, beloved wife, Mother, Nana, Niece, Cousin and Friend passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on August 17, 2025, at the age of 78. Jacqueline was also known by other nicknames such as Jackie and Jack Spratt to which she answered both with pleasure! Born June 13, 1947, in Boston, Massachusetts to Hilton Brathwaite and Lucy Virginia Merriman.

She is survived by her devoted husband of 57 years, Paul E. Henry, her children Michael (Eileen) Henry and Janine Henry, as well as her cherished grandchildren Tyler Jordan and Dominique Virginia, and her nephew Timothy (Kerrie) and their daughter Paige. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Hilton Leon Brathwaite (Butch) and niece Alison Brathwaite.

Jackie grew up in Cambridge, MA where she graduated from Cambridge Rindge and Latin in 1965. There she met an amazing group of ladies who became long-life best of friends, Leotha (Waithe) Santos, Pat (Bispham) Jenkins, Diane (Bispham) Sealey, Nedgret (Campbell) Dottin and her cousin Karen Griffith. Jackie's dream of becoming a nurse ended before she started when she visited a local hospital emergency room and witnessed a patient's trauma in which she realized that she was a bit too squeamish to be a nurse. Ultimately, she attended Mass Bay Community College before taking a position at New England Bell.

While working at New England Bell, Jackie went on a blind date leading her to meet the love of her life Paul who was working for Polaroid. Paul enlisted into the Army and after advanced training they got married on April 20, 1968, after which he was shipped overseas to Vietnam. Paul and Jackie lived in Tacoma, WA military post and then moved back to MA and lived in Medford, then back to Cambridge while growing their family ultimately settled in Randolph, MA. Jackie started working for American Airlines reservation department. While working for American Jackie and family traveled all over the country and world. When American moved its reservation department out of state she decided not to uproot and move, she then joined Delta Airlines reservation department. After leaving Delta, she was diagnosed with Lupus. After her diagnosis she found comfort in attending monthly Lupus meetings led by Bob Walsh and his wife Gloria who became lifelong friends. Several years of learning how to manage her Lupus, she decided to go back into the workforce by taking a position at Walmart where she worked until she retired after fifteen years of service. During her free time, Jackie enjoyed sewing where she took lessons for many years despite having learned how to sew. She enjoyed the friendships she made during those many years of lessons. Her talented touch created many clothes for her family including robes, blankets, prom dresses, curtains and couch covers. She was able to take her dream vacation which was an Alaskan cruise in 2016 which she truly enjoyed.

Jackie will be deeply missed, but her legacy of love, kindness and adventure will continue to inspire everyone she came into contact with.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend a visitation period on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, from 9:30 – 11:00 AM at the Cartwright Funeral Home, 419 North Main St., Randolph. Funeral Service will begin at 11:00 AM in the Funeral Home. Burial will be Wednesday, August 27, 2025, 12:30pm at the Massachusetts National Cemetery, Connery Ave, Bourne, MA 02532.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Lupus Foundation of New England in honor/memory of Jacqueline Henry.