OLD ORCHARD BEACH — Jacqueline Adair Harder, of Old Orchard, went Home to be with the Lord on Sunday, Oct. 29. She died peacefully at home, able to do so by the unwavering, loving care provided by her son, Darren, surrounded by her beloved family.

Jackie was born in Lewiston on March 28, 1934, and was the daughter of Robert and Grace Currie. Jackie raised her family in Auburn and as her kids got older she was employed in retail management, working at Kmart, Quoddy Moccasin, Porteous Department Store and eventually owning and operating an automotive dealership with her husband in Rockland. After moving to southern Maine to be closer to her family, and not one to slow down, she also opened and ran her own gift shop, “A Tisket A Tasket,” in Scarborough, for several years before retiring.

Jackie was a Sunday school teacher at United Methodist Church in Auburn and was involved with the women’s advocacy group Zonta International in both Auburn and Rockland. Her real challenge/passion was raising her five kids and providing supplemental nurturing of her beloved grandchildren. Many a Saturday evening, her grandkids could be found in her lap as she read them a story getting them ready for a sleepover. The grandkids thought the world of their “Nanny.” Every Sunday night in OOB at Jackie’s house was “family night,” where she would make a big dinner and invite family and some friends over for a hot meal and a “happy cake” dessert. Jackie was a warm, self-effacing person with a huge heart full of love. She spread her warmth and grace to every person with whom she became acquainted, including her lifelong best friend Betty Bates, and more recently to her exceptional caregivers Jan Shorey, Kayla Pomelow and Lorraine Mansfield.

Jackie was predeceased by her husband, James K. Harder; and brothers, Stanley and Bob Currie. She is survived by her sons, Barry Harder and wife, Okson of Scarborough, Kyle Harder of Turner and Darren Harder of Old Orchard Beach; daughters, Meryl Madden and husband, Tim of Saco, and Melise Frey and husband, Jim of Freeport; her nine grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Jacqueline A. Harder