WEBSTER – Jacquelyn Roper Sawyer, 85, passed away peacefully Tuesday, February 17, 2026 in the warmth and comfort of her home, attended by her loving daughter and following recent visits by her son, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
She leaves a daughter, Jacquelyn Denise Sawyer of Woodstock, CT; a son, Stephen Lee Sawyer and his wife Shari of Rocky Point, NC; 7 grandchildren, Jesse Sawyer and his wife Eileen, Joseph Sawyer and his wife Anna, Oliver Lucas and their husband Bryant, John Ortiz Sawyer and his wife Aimee, Dylan Sawyer, Morning Mariah Sawyer, and Meagan Sawyer; 11 great-grandchildren; a sister, Julianna Forbes of Elizabeth City, NC, a brother, Henry Lee Roper Jr of Bristol TN; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 66 years, John A. Sawyer, Jr., who died on November 20 of last year. She was also preceded in death by her infant son John A. Sawyer, III, by her brother William L. Roper, and by her sisters Sadie Roper, Ellen Hamlett, Elsie Spencer and Mary Davis.
Jacquelyn (Jackie) was born on July 8, 1940 in Engelhard, Hyde County, NC, to Henry Lee and Rosalie (Burrus) Roper and graduated as the valedictorian of her high school class. She met the love of her life, John, in Elizabeth City, NC, where they were married in 1959. Together, they raised two wonderful children, Denise and Stephen, while traveling and living around the US and world, including California, Virginia, Naples, Italy and Okinawa, Japan. She held various jobs including teaching English as a second language in Okinawa and managing a Hallmark store in Herndon, Virginia where she developed her fondness for Christmas ornaments. In 1984, John and Jackie put down their roots in New England, eventually settling into the home of her dreams on Bowman Street in Westborough MA. During this time, Jackie enjoyed working part-time at Harvey’s Farm and Garden in Westborough and embarked on a new chapter of her life as a grandmother, affectionately known as Nan. In 2001, Jackie and John moved to Webster MA to enjoy retirement in their condo overlooking the lake, a view that always brought her comfort and joy, even in her final moments. Over the course of her life, she enjoyed arts and crafts, gardening, and collecting music boxes and teddy bears.
A Marine’s wife, Jackie was used to moving and living in various places and she made it her life’s mission to create a home full of warmth, stability, and generosity wherever she went, a haven where everyone was welcome and to which anyone could return. A deeply empathetic person, Jackie always took care of the people around her, regardless of whether it was a family member, friend, neighbor, or acquaintance. Above all else, Jackie loved her family. With relatives and friends spread across various states and multiple generations, she was the glue that held so many together. For her family that lived far away, she baked their favorite cookies at Christmas and mailed them without fail. Her annual Christmas Eve buffet, regularly attended by up to four generations of Sawyers, was a beloved family tradition for over forty years.
Whether she was making her daily phone calls to check in and offer her ear to loved ones far away, hosting gatherings large and small of friends and family in her home, or visiting her children and grandchildren a few towns over or as far away as Kodiak, Alaska, Jackie always went the distance for her family and her love, unconditional in the truest sense, knew no bounds. It didn’t matter where you were, she had a unique gift for making her love for you known and her presence felt. She still does.
A celebration of life is being planned and family will have more details in coming weeks.
Donations in Jacquelyn’s name may be made to Care Central VNA & Hospice, 34 Pearly Lane, Gardner., MA 01440 or to Toys for Tots, https://worcester-ma.toysfortots.org. Arrangements are under the direction of Sitkowski, Malboeuf & Hickey Funeral Home, 340 School Street.