Jacqueline A. (Duff) Sefton, age 88, passed away in her California home on August 13th. Born in Boston, MA, Jacqui was raised in Milton, MA and was a resident of Canton, MA for over 63 years. She had most recently relocated to Hanford, CA to live with one of her daughters. Loving wife of 62 years to the late Robert Sefton and dear sister of Maureen Parks of Canton, MA. Beloved mother of Shawn Sefton and her husband Rafael Ortega of Boston, MA, Mark Sefton and his wife Bonny of Sudbury, MA, Julie Sefton Drew and her husband Albert of Hanford, CA, Dara Shea and her husband James of Milford, MA. Cherished grandmother of Andrew Ortega and his wife Ashley of the Dominican Republic, Matthew Drew and his wife Shannon of Carpinteria, CA, Rafael Ortega and his wife Yoko of Chicago, IL, Jacqueline Bush and her husband Justin of Hanford, CA, Alexander Ortega of Chicago, IL, Abigail Booth and her husband Cody of Milford, MA, Eliza Macken and her husband Terence of Milford, MA, Victoria Ortega of the Dominican Republic, Shane Sefton of Sudbury, MA, Mackenzie Rand and his wife Emma of Prescott, AZ, Troy Rand of Prescott, AZ. Dearest great grandmother of Easton Drew, Zion Ortega, Mackenzie Rand, Delaney Macken, Bodie Drew and Henry Bush.
Jacqui attended Holy Cross Academy and Emmanuel College both in Boston, MA. She later went on to receive a master’s degree in education from Curry College in Milton, MA where she was the keynote speaker for her graduating class. She began her career in teaching after her marriage to the late Robert F. Sefton. While raising her family, Jacqui opened the Ponkapoag Kindergarten in her home where she taught until her youngest child entered school. Her professional career would continue for 34 more years at the Dean S. Luce in Canton, MA. There she taught fourth and fifth grade and in her final years she went on to be the Vice Principal. Teaching was her passion and brought her great joy. Her children were often approached by former students saying, “Mrs. Sefton was my favorite teacher”! An educator always, her favorite expression to her grandchildren was “Be smart, Nani loves you”!! Upon retirement, Jacqui’s strong work ethic and her love for being active led her to work for her daughter in property management, not fully retiring until the age of 85. Jacqui loved to travel with friends and family and frequented the tropical islands. She was an avid reader, a master of the crossword puzzle, and loved to play cards. Jacqui loved speaking with and learning about people and it was no surprise to her children how often their friends and associates would always make sure Nani was a part of any event. Jacqui was also known to look forward to the 5 o’clock bell ringing so she could finish her day, enjoy her signature martini with 3 jumbo olives (which she always shared), catch up with the daily events and make the telephone rounds checking on her family and friends.
Jacqui, Mom, Nani your goodness, your caring, your wisdom lives on.
Visiting hours at Dockray & Thomas Funeral Home, 455 Washington Street, Canton, MA on Sunday August 21st from 3:00 – 7:00pm. Funeral mass will be celebrated at St. Oscar Romero Parish Church (formerly St. John’s Parish) on Monday August 22nd at 10am. Burial will follow at Knollwood Memorial Part, Canton, MA. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Jacqui’s memory to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or Tunnel for Towers Foundation.