Jacqueline M. Burkle

Jacqueline Mildred Burkle was welcomed into this world on July 25, 1958. She was the eighth of ten children born to the union of the late James L. Burkle and Eleanor Chase Burkle. After a long illness, she was called home to be with The Lord on March 26, 2024.
Jacqueline leaves to cherish her memory her sisters, Grace Burkle-Torrey (Vinyl) of MA, Eleanor Burkle-Bailey (Livio), Joan Burkle-Herbert (Brad), Beverly Burkle-Barnett, Nancy Burkle-Tafuto (Michael) and Terry Burkle-Francis (Joesph), all of CT. She was predeceased by brothers James L. Burkle, Jr. and Bradley W. Burkle, and sister Penny Burkle Smith.
Jacqueline received her education in the Guilford school systems. She began her work career with SARAH, assembling parts for flashlights. After several years she transferred to ARC of New Haven, where she became a professional coupon clipper and paper shredder under the supervision of her Program Specialist LaShanda Jennett.
She lived a quiet life and enjoyed spending time with her extended family, Germone, Jose, Susie, Barbara, and the late Gary. She enjoyed going out to dinner, especially to have lobster. She loved to watch SpongeBob movies, go shopping at the mall, go to amusement parks, and visit ponds to see and feed the ducks. Most of all, she enjoyed getting a manicure, getting her hair curled up, dressing up and looking beautiful.
Jacqueline left her mark wherever she went, from New Haven Regional Center Eastview and Brookside House, to her new home with DDS Hidden Pond, to Gil Foundation Hidden Pond. Jackie was kind with a loving heart and would show concern for her friends and extended family, always making sure everyone in the home was happy. If she had a special snack, she wanted to share it with all her extended family. Jacqueline was lovingly considered the Queen of the home. She had a great sense of humor with a unique smile and one-of-a-kind laugh. On her serious side, Jacqueline would speak her mind mostly through unfiltered tongue. She would let you know what she liked and what she didn’t like in her very stern and serious voice using her selected words. She would say it all in the name of LOVE.
Jacqueline attended Vertical Church with her guardian Ruth whenever she was able to. She always enjoyed the gospel music. She often had one-on-one conversations with her guardian clarifying and understanding the scripture, talking about meeting God, going to her eternal heavenly home, and seeing her mother, father and all of her heavenly family again. Her favorite scripture was Psalms 23:1-6, ‘The Lord is my Shepard, I Shall Not Want.’ Jackie will be remembered for her strength and determination as she overcame many obstacles in her beautiful God-given life.

JACQUELINE WAS LOVED VERY MUCH BY HER FAMILY,
EXTENDED FAMILY AND FRIENDS.
THERE ARE NO GOODBYES FROM US TO OUR SISTER AND FRIEND.
JACQUELINE WILL ALWAYS BE IN OUR HEARTS.
SO THANKFUL, SO GRATEFUL AND SO LOVED.

Many thanks, gratitude, and appreciation for the Dept. of Developmental Services. There are so many Eastview and Hidden Pond Administrators, Nurses, PT, OT, Behaviorist and Residential Staff who for many years showed concern, care, and love for Jacqueline. Too many to name, but never forgotten-you know who you are and Jacqueline knew you too. Be Blessed.
Thank you, Gil Foundation Administration and Staff at Hidden Pond, for showing Jacqueline real love and allowing her to live her best life during her final years. Joseph Mascia, Executive Director, Jen Barberi Director of Programs, Tonya Anderson, Director of Programs, Andrea Parker, House Manager, and house staff James Sloane, Frank Upshur, Jasmine Gore, Kevin Kure, Johnae Jones, Randy Jones, and every staff that I didn’t name. You all gave real LOVE.
God bless you, Franciscan Hospice Care Director Peta Rose Tom, Medical Director Doctor Audrey Lefkowitz, and Sister Catherine Mary Clarke for your spiritual guidance, Tina Bolio for her unfailing weekly check-in, providing uplifting words of encouragement for people she never even met. Now that’s Agape Love! Kathleen McQuire, RN, Ty Williams, RN, Nancy Atkin, RN, Lindsey Pelletier, RN, Colleen Fitzgerald, RN, and all the Nurses involved for your collaboration and teamwork with Gil Foundation’s Nurses, Marianne Sargent, RN and Nicole Miller-Tyson, RN. You all provided the best nursing care available. Nursing from the Heart is Pure Love.
Thank you, ARC Administrator and Program Specialists, for providing opportunities for Jacqueline to expand her skills of employment, activities, and community experiences. Thank you, Sherry Warren, Myra Benton-Waters, Kisha Turner, Natasha Ortiz, Denise Nobles, Nicole Lewis, Terrell Nelson, Joncie Maybin, Randy Beckett, and every staff member at ARC. Your love truly shined on Jacqueline.
Jacqueline shared a special bond and friendship with her ARC Program Specialist LaShanda Jennette. Jacqueline would most of the time arrive at ARC excitedly shouting, “Is Shanda here.” If Lashanda had happened to take the day off, everyone would soon know it. Jacqueline’s actions throughout the day would speak louder than words! Jacqueline also had a special place in her heart for Travis Benjamin, Bernard Tucker, Jr., Eddie Parise, and longtime DDS retired staff member Bernard Tucker, Sr. They treated Jacqueline like the Queen she was, with plenty of love that lasted her a lifetime.
Jacqueline had another very special true friend, her Case Manager Carole Robillard. They had developed a bond and a trusting relationship. Jacqueline always knew that she could count on Carole to help her get her point across. Thank you, Carole, for going above and beyond for over 32 years, assuring Jacqueline received respect and dignity in every area of her life. Your love for Jacqueline is unmeasurable and the results tell her story. You were a very important part of Jacqueline’s beautiful life.

Friends are invited to visit Jacqueline from 9:00-10:00 a.m. Saturday, April 6th at BEECHER & BENNETT, 2300 Whitney Ave., Hamden. A service celebrating her life will begin at 10:00 in the funeral home. Burial will follow in Alder Brook Cemetery, 355 Boston St., Guilford.

Be Blessed,
Court Appointed Guardian and Friend
Ruth Brooks-Douglas