FARMINGTON – Jacqueline Dingley, 86, a lifelong resident of Farmington, died Thursday, June 5, at Orchard Park Nursing Facility with her family at her side. Her death followed several years of illness during which she was cared for by her family at her home and at Clearwater Lake.

Jackie, as she was known to her many friends, was born in Farmington on Oct. 25, 1921, to Roland and Cordana (Coolidge) Dingley. The second of five children, she was predeceased by her brother Edward, and survived by her sister, Sally Ranger of New Harbor, and her brothers, Frank and Dana Dingley, of Farmington.

She was married to Birchard Holman, who died in 1955, with whom she had two children, Roland (Rolly) and Carole. Rolly died in a tragic accident in 1975. Surviving Jackie are her daughter and son-in-law, Carole and Joel Brightman; Carole’s children, Chris Greenlaw and his wife, Wendy Betts, Jill Greenlaw and her husband, Dan Ucci, and Rolly’s son and daughter-in-law, Troy and his wife, Jen Haley; and six great-grandchildren, Dylan, Kristin, Gabriel, Isabella, Wyatt and Cole.

Jackie retired from the U.S. Postal Service, where she worked in West Farmington for 20 years, the last 10 of which she was postmaster. Previously, she was employed by the Wilton Woolen Mill and Norwalk Shoe. During World War II she worked as a welder on Liberty Ships at the South Portland Ship Yard. Later in the war, she worked at the Mere Point Yard in California when her husband was stationed on the West Coast. Jackie’s proficiency as a welder was such that the west coast yard “drafted” her because of her great skills and kept her at the California facility long after she was due to return to Maine.

Jackie was, as indicated by her war work, very dexterous and multi-talented. She knitted and crocheted many articles of clothing, braided rugs, wove baskets, and painted scenes of Clearwater Lake and neighboring landscapes. She also was an avid gardener, bridge player, and Red Sox fan, but will be remembered as an athlete and sportswoman. Jackie knew all the best fishing spots on Clearwater Lake where she spent summers at her camp. She kept records there for the Fish and Wildlife Department. She also was a skilled hunter and member of the “Biggest Bucks of Maine” Club.

She attended Shorey Chapel and the Henderson Memorial Baptist Church, where she had been a member for more than 60 years.