Elaine (Melanson) Jacoby-Bouffard

NORTH ANDOVER - Elaine (Melanson) Jacoby-Bouffard, 80, long time resident of Shrewsbury MA, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 5, 2020.

Elaine lived a love-filled life among much family and many friends. She was a beloved friend, daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Her love transcended loss, many hardships, and overwhelming difficulties but she gracefully walked in those shoes with strength and resolution as she faced every unexpected trial in life.

She raised a house full of children with the help of music from Harry Belafonte, Barbara Streisand, Luciano Pavarotti, Nat King Cole, and other great singers, along with Broadway and movie classics like West Side Story, My Fair Lady, South Pacific, and Phantom of the Opera.  Her taste in music was as varied as her talents and it proved to be the key that unlocked happiness all around her. She would sing along like she had no other option, her voice interwoven with the energy and lyrics. Whether she was belting out harmony parts in the car or entertaining caretakers in her last years, it was clear that singing brought joy to her and to everyone within ear shot. She never lost her pitch or tone and she sang from her soul until the end.

She was also an accomplished painter in watercolor and oil. She nurtured beautiful gardens and tended to landscapes that turned the eye of every passerby.  She knew more than a thing or two about architecture, interior design and decorating, and took pleasure in making all things beautiful.

Coffee time was an important part of every day and always included pastry of some sort. There isn’t one of us who can’t tell a story about muffins, a jelly stick or a “juicy donut” (more commonly known as honey dipped). Picking up a dozen on the way home from church was as predictable as Sundays coming every week.  Scones and danish were reserved for special occasions, which she found plenty of ways to invent if there wasn’t a celebration on the horizon.

Elaine is survived by her children:  Stephen Jacoby, Beth Vinton, Catherine and Ralph Marrone, Mary and Michael Vanderhoof, Maryellen and Mark Brunyak, Christopher Jacoby, Jeannine Moore, Betty and Gene Nuovo, Paul and Donna Bouffard, and Margaret Bouffard who pre-deceased her.  Sisters and brothers: Mary Elizabeth and Bill Quinlan,  Tom and Collette Melanson, Carol and Joe Calabresi, Dan and Lynn Melanson, Joe and Stella Melanson, Anne Marie and John Moore, and Marlene Melanson, wife of brother Frank, who, along with Rosemary and John Mijal also pre-deceased her. She also leaves MANY grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

A tribute to her life will be planned in the future. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a charitable donation to Cure Alzheimer's Fund at www.curealz.org/giving/donate

Arrangements by Driscoll Funeral Home, 309 So. Main Street, Haverhill. For guestbook, visit www.driscollcares.com

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