Jacqueline R. Babcock

WEST GARDINER – It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Jacqueline R. Babcock, 70, fondly known as “Jackie” on July 22, 2025, at Maine Medical Center in Portland.

Born to Pauline and Joao Freitas Sr. in Lewiston on Nov. 24, 1954. Jackie married her husband, Peter Babcock and made West Gardiner her lifelong home. After a fulfilling career at General Electric, she retired and dedicated her time to what mattered most to her: her family and her beloved cats.

Jackie was a loving, loyal, and thoughtful woman. Her love for her family knew no bounds; she was a caring daughter, a devoted sister, a trusted friend, and a kind neighbor. Jackie was bubbly, outgoing and the life of every party. Her laughter was contagious, which made her light up every room she walked into. Jackie’s loyalty was evident in her long years of service in the manufacturing industry. Her thoughtfulness shone through in her everyday interactions, whether it was a kind word for a friend or her tender care for her cherished cats. She loved going to lunch and shopping with her mom, sisters, nieces and her best friend, Vicky. Jackie enjoyed many family holiday parties, and loved traveling, especially to the island of St. Maarten with her husband. Her spirit of generosity and kindness will be greatly missed but never forgotten.

Jackie is survived by her beautiful mother, Pauline Freitas; sisters Cheryl Bailey and Karen Simpson, brothers Joao Freitas Jr. and Thomas Freitas, sisters-in-law Carmen Freitas and Kelly Freitas, and brother-in-law, Timothy Simpson; along with her nieces and nephews and their partners, Nicole Freitas and Nicolas, Chris Simpson and Alicia Meservier, Jennifer and Jake Frost, Sarah and Will Bamber, Walter and Nicky Bailey, Megan Freitas, Lauren Freitas and Joey Frechette’ great-nieces and nephews, Kenneth Frost, Raegan Frost, Huxley Nadeau, Cruz Simpson, Lucas and Charlotte Bailey.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Peter Babcock; father, Joao Freitas Sr., mother and father-in-law, Natalie and Clifford Babcock; brothers-in-law James Bailey and Michael Babcock; and her nephew, Cory Freitas.

A graveside service will be held at the Cherry Hill Cemetery on High Street, West Gardiner, on Thursday, July 31, at 11 a.m.

We invite all who knew Jacqueline to share memories, stories, and photographs on her memorial page http://www.staplesfuneralhome.com Jackie’s life was a tapestry of loving relationships and memorable moments, and we encourage you to help us weave together the story of her remarkable life.

Arrangements and guidance are in the care of Staples Funeral Home and Cremation Care, 53 Brunswick Ave., Gardiner.