First executive director of McClure Miller Respite House had long career of service to others Jacquelyn (Fenelon) Arbuckle, of Burlington, Vt., died at McClure Miller Respite House in the early morning hours of December 29, 2024. Jackie was born in Lynn, Mass., on November 21, 1942, daughter of Eugene F. and Margaret A. (Walker) Fenelon. She was raised in Saugus and Swampscott, Mass., graduating from Swampscott High School in 1960. She went on to New England Deaconess Hospital School of Nursing (Boston, Mass.), graduating in 1963, and became a registered nurse — thus starting an almost 40-year career of service to others. Over her career, Jackie worked in many areas of nursing, including med-surg, emergency room and mental health. Jackie also earned a master’s in education from Antioch University New England in Keene, N.H. Jackie developed an interest in eldercare when she became director of nursing at the McGirr Nursing Home in Bellows Falls, Vt. After moving to Colchester, she became volunteer coordinator of Chittenden County Hospice. While working there, Jackie, along with Terje Anderson (executive director of Vermont CARES), foresaw the need for a freestanding hospice. Jackie’s inspiration led to a five-year plan, creation of a board, fundraising and then construction of Vermont Respite House, now the McClure Miller Respite House. She served as the first executive director and was the guiding light for the care of people in their final stage of life, creating standards that are still honored in today’s Respite House. Jackie’s service also included the spiritual world. She and her close friend Peggy Mathauer were ordained deacons in the Episcopal Church at All Saints Episcopal Church on July 30, 1991. Jackie served at All Saints for 15 years, going on to serve at St. John’s in the Mountains in Stowe, Vt., and Trinity Episcopal Church in Shelburne, Vt. After retirement, she continued her service work for several years at Rock Point, home of the Episcopal Diocese of Vermont, where she coordinated volunteers for many programs. Jackie had a lifelong love of gardening and all things in the natural world, ultimately achieving a Master Gardener certificate. She created many beautiful gardens at every home she lived in and in other places in the community. She passed that love on to her daughters and many others through her teaching and guidance. Jackie leaves Allan, her husband of 60 years, daughters Jennifer Arbuckle of North Ferrisburgh and Lesley Higgins, son-in-law John Higgins and granddaughter Wylie, all of Charlotte. The family wishes to…