WATERTOWN, NY - Jacqueline Jane “JJ” (Starling) O’Brien, Watertown (Town of Rutland) (formerly of Chazy, NY) gave last call at 2:15 a.m. at the Hospice Residence in Watertown on Tuesday morning, August 27, 2024.
Jacqueline (Jackie) was born in Fair Haven, VT on November 19, 1932, daughter of Harold and Mary (Frazer) Starling. She was a graduate of Fair Haven High School.
On November 23, 1958 she married John T. O’Brien at St. Joseph’s Church in Fort Edward, NY. They lived on the O’Brien family farm in Fort Edward, NY until November 1971 when the family moved to Chazy, NY. Mr. O’Brien died February 8, 1976.
In addition, they owned and operated O’Brien’s Restaurant and O’Brien’s Ice Cream in Hudson Falls, NY and later expanded O’Briens Ice Cream in Ballston Spa, NY. In 1971, the family moved to Chazy, NY and owned and operated the Weatherco*ck Bar and Restaurant. Jackie was inducted into the Chazy Apple Knockers as an honorary member, and she was the first Lioness of the Chazy Lions Club in Chazy. She was Queen of the Chazy Old Homes Days with Jim Laramie as King. Jackie retired at the age of 71 after operating the Weatherco*ck for 32 years! Upon retirement, she moved to Watertown, NY to live with her daughters while recovering from a knee replacement. She remained in Watertown (Town of Rutland) until the time of her death. She was a communicant of Holy Family Church in Watertown, NY. She enjoyed trips to Fair Haven, VT to visit her siblings and an occasional trip to Florida with her good friends Peg Spiegel and Ann Thibault of Chazy, NY. Most enjoyable moments would be serving her patrons through the years, and in recent years, was when mom or “Ma” as her great-granddaughter Tori called her, spent time reading to one another!
Jackie is survived by her two daughters, Jo-Ann Nevin and Julie (Mike) Grandjean of Watertown, NY; and two sons, John O’Brien, Ormond Beach, Florida; James O’Brien (companion Lisa Wright) of Chateaugay, NY and daughter-in-law Christine O’Brien, Chazy, NY. She is blessed with grandchildren, John O’Brien IV (Kayleena) and Alyssa (Amanda) O’Brien all of Chazy, NY and Shanon Nevin, Tampa, FL. Step Grandsons, Michael (Nicole) Grandjean, Copenhagen, NY and Justin Grandjean, Black River, NY; and great grandchildren (Victoria) Tori and Brantley Grandjean. Sisters: Joyce Brown, Jean Starling, Joan Starling, Theresa (Tom) Fitzgerald and brother, Ricky (Jeanette) Starling all of Fair Haven, VT. Along with her husband, John, she is predeceased by grandson Joseph DeYear, her parents, and siblings Mary Pokrzywka, Margaret (Peggy) Michelucci, Helen Allen, William Starling and John Starling.
Family was always important to Jackie. She was a great cook known for her juicy burgers, plentiful sandwiches, lasagna and spaghetti and meatballs. Jackie never disappointed her patrons as she always made sure to put snacks out for the Super Bowl and Daytona 500. On St. Patrick’s Day everyone looked forward to eating her delicious Corned Beef and Cabbage Dinner. In May, the infamous Happy Pike (fishing derby) brought people from near and far for 35 years and many friendships were formed! In November, the Chazy Lions Club hosted their annual Turkey Night to raise money for all of the community events they sponsor. It was always well attended, and people looked forward to winning a turkey for their Thanksgiving Dinner. The Weatherco*ck was a family-friendly environment and Jackie made everyone feel like family! She was dubbed “the town mom.”
Calling hours and a funeral mass will be held at a later date.
The family is grateful for the loving care provided by her caregivers, and the remarkable staff at the Hospice Residence in Watertown, NY where mom resided since September 19, 2023. We would also like to thank Tim Nevin for sitting with mom on several occasions when Jo-Ann and Julie had an event to attend.
Donations in mom’s memory may be made to: Chazy Fire Department; 9669 US 9, Chazy, NY 12921 or Chazy Lions Club; PO Box 307, Chazy, NY 12921; Hospice of Jefferson County; (online) or 1398 Gotham St., Watertown, NY 13601.
Arrangements are with Reed & Benoit Funeral Home, Inc. and condolences may be left online at www.reedbenoit.com.
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