AUBURN — Jacqueline “Jackie” B. Bonin, 79, of Auburn died after a short illness on Thursday, Dec. 15, at Clover Manor Rehab Facility with her loving family by her side.

Jackie was born, April 29, 1932, in St. Quentin, N.B., Canada, to Ludger and Anna (Drapeau) Theriault. In June 1947, she immigrated to Lewiston with her parents and siblings and later went on to become a U.S. citizen. In 1953, she married Albert Lucien Bonin and together had three children.

In her young adult life, she worked in area textile and shoe factories. Some of her most cherished memories were when she worked at Happy Jack’s Restaurant in Lewiston for more than 20 years. Many of her customers and co-workers became friends and an extended family.

Family was by far the most important part of her life. As a single mom, she worked tirelessly to provide a safe and loving environment for her children and there was never a question that they were her first priority in life. She also was very close to her many brothers and sisters and it was quite common on Sundays for the family to pile into the car and go visit aunts, uncles and cousins. Her years in retirement were not surprisingly spent dedicated to her children and grandchildren. These years included the weekly Sunday evening family gatherings that she so enjoyed with those most special in her life.

Jackie is survived by her three children, Diane Therrien and her husband, Richard, of Auburn, Mark Bonin and his companion, Jared, of Lewiston and Rachel Grenier and her husband, David, of Oxford; the grandchildren she loved are Joey Therrien and his wife, Suzann, Eric Therrien, Angel (Bonin) Lovett and her husband, Bruce, Mark P. Bonin II, Matthew Bonin, Thomas Bonin, Andrea Bonin, Stacy (Grenier) Rivet and Brent Grenier; she was also blessed with eight great-grandchildren, Christopher Cottle, Sebastian Cottle, Ariel Lovett, Dennis Fligg, Lucas Bonin, Jacoby Bonin, Mason Rivet and Ava Rivet; she is also survived by two sisters, Lena Martel of Lewiston and Terry Fournier of Lewiston; and three brothers, Bob Theriault, Fred Theriault and Fern Theriault.

She was predeceased by her parents; brothers, Wilfred Theriault, Aime Theriault, Albert Theriault, Roger Theriault and Romeo Theriault; and sister, Rose-Aime Caron

The family would like to send special words of thanks to the staff at Clover Manor Rehab Facility for the loving care and hospitality provided in her last days.

Online condolences and sharing of memories may be expressed at www.lynchbrothers.com.