Obituary of Jacqueline Ann Gengo

Jacqueline Ann “Jackie” Gengo, a woman devoted to her family, church, and community passed away after a short illness on Monday afternoon, December 30, 2019. She was 82 years old. Jackie, her twin sister Geraldine and younger sister Brenda, were born in Old Forge, Pennsylvania. She grew up in Old Forge and was a graduate of Old Forge High School. While at a church dance, she met her future husband, Frank Gengo. They were married in September of 1960 and moved to Seattle, Washington. After living in many different states with Frank’s work in 1996 they settled in Massachusetts. It is said that “the greatest gift you can give your children is to love your spouse” and that is especially true for Jackie and Frank. They were like a new couple always going on dates. They went to Jazz clubs to listen and dance to the music, had seasons passes to the North Shore Music Theatre, went to the concerts at the Boston Hatch Shell, toured Italy, traveled all across the United States together to attend Veteran reunions, dinners, movies, church socials, and any other activity that sparked their interest. They had four children whom she lovingly adored. She was deeply involved in all her children’s lives and gave them a strong foundation of love and faith that they could build upon. She helped at their schools, was a Den Mother for their Boy Scouts troops and Assistant Leader for their Girl Scouts troops. She was the mom who welcomed her children’s friends into her home for her famous chocolate chip and peanut butter cookies. She attended all their sporting and school events as well as any other activity that they were involved in. The family took day trips to many of the state parks and beaches in the area, feasted on her wonderful picnic lunches, and enjoyed time spent as a family. She was so excited to be a “Nona” to her five grandchildren. She loved the annual family weekends at Lake Ossipee and playing cards with her grandchildren. Her love for her family was endless and when she became ill it was only natural for her family to rally around her to support, comfort, and care for her. Jackie was a person who loved people, being involved, and spreading kindness and thoughtfulness. She was the neighbor who stopped by with a homemade bread. She was always interested in you and your family. She would send a thoughtful note to a friend or acquaintance when they were going through a difficult time. She never wanted her guest to leave her home hungry and would often send them home with some treats. She worked for 18 years at Filene’s Basement in Burlington as a cashier. She loved the interaction with the customers, often won the many sales promotions, and of course loved the great deals. Jackie was a natural born salesperson because she genuinely had the customers best interest at heart. She was a member of the Burlington Historical Society, Burlington Council on Aging, and the Red Hats. She was a very active parishioner at St. Malachy’s Church. She volunteered at the Lowell Transitional Living Center and at the Framingham Correctional Center for Women. Jackie was genuine, thoughtful, kind, and unselfish. Her family and community have truly lost a special woman who filled the world around her with love and kindness. Jackie was the beloved wife of the late Frank A. Gengo. She was the loving mother of Ronald Gengo & his wife Diane of Waltham, Laura Haggerty & her husband James of Woburn, Tina Humphreys & her husband Marc of Acton, and Gary Gengo of Chelmsford. She was the proud grandmother of Joseph Barrett Gengo, Kevin, Gail, David, and Ryan Humphreys. She was the twin sister of Geraldine Garvey & her husband James of Scranton, PA and sister of Brenda Loprete of Bowie MD & her late husband Frederick, and Rose Mary Graziano & her husband James of Old Forge, PA. She was the sister-in-law of Charlotte Cosentini of Scranton, PA & her late husband Samuel. Jackie was also survived by many nieces, nephews, and friends. A visitation will be held at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., Burlington (exit 34 off Rt. 128/95, Woburn side) on Friday, January 3 from 3-7 p.m. Funeral from the Sullivan Funeral Home on Saturday, Jan. 4 at 9 a.m. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Malachy Church, 99 Bedford St., Burlington at 10 a.m. Services will conclude with a burial in Pine Haven Cemetery, Burlington. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Jackie’s name may be made to St. Malachy Church, 99 Bedford St., Burlington, MA 01803 or Lowell Transitional Living Center, 205-209 Middlesex St. Lowell, MA 01852 www.ltlc.org