Jeanette C. (Taillon) Parker, 94, of Haverhill left us peacefully on December 7, 2016, surrounded by her beloved family.

Jeanette was born on December 12, 1921 in Lynn, MA.  She was one of the seven children of Alphonse and Anna (Dumais) Taillon, spending her early childhood in Lynn.  After the family moved to Georgetown and then to Haverhill, she attended Haverhill schools and graduated from Haverhill High School in 1940.

Jeanette married the love of her life, the late Howard E. "Howie" Parker, a carpenter, of Haverhill in December, 1944.  After travelling in their early marriage they returned to the Haverhill area where they raised their eight children.  As a young woman, she was employed at GE in Lynn and later worked part-time at Western Electric.  She also worked in the Haverhill school system and at Cedardale Athletic Club.

Family was one of the most important aspects of Jeanette's life; she was happiest when at family gatherings where she could be around her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  A gifted artist who enjoyed oil painting and poetry, she published two books of poems while in her eighties.

Jeanette inspired countless lives with her strong faith, weaving a fabric of love within the hearts of all she met.  Jeanette practiced her faith at All Saints (St. Joseph) parish in Haverhill where she was an active member of the faith community serving as Lector, Eucharistic Minister, and member of the Third Order of Mary for many years.  She was also active at St. Matthew parish in Limerick, ME during the summer as well as at St. Paul parish in St. Petersburg, FL in winter for many years.   She and Howie were part of many resident committees and activities at their Phoenix Row home, where they made many friends.  A compassionate smile was her trademark.

Porter, Maine was one of Jeanette's favorite places in this world.  It was there that she welcomed family, friends, and strangers with an open heart, ready to share the peace and beauty of Parker's Pasture.  Many fond memories that last lifetimes were kindled there.

Jeanette was predeceased by her loving husband Howie (2003); siblings Alcide Taillon of Ipswich, Lorraine Ellis and Rita Mitchell of Haverhill, and Geraldine MacLeod of Newton, NH.  Her family members include sisters Jacqueline Bouvier of Plaistow, NH and Annette Parker of Haverhill; her children William Parker and his wife Christine of Nashua, NH, Janet Cerat of Haverhill, Suzanne Bourgault and her husband Ronald of Bradenton, FL, James Parker and his wife Cindy of Haverhill, Brian Parker and his wife Karen of Andover, Bernadette Prophet and her husband Stanley of Haverhill, Andrea Summerton and her husband Gregory of Limington, ME, Shawn Parker of Hudson, NH; 16 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

The Parker family would like to extend special thanks to the community of care providers from Bethany Homes, Whittier Rehabilitation Hospital, Merrimack Valley Hospice House, and the many other volunteers who gave of themselves in making Jeanette's passage into Heaven a peaceful one. To all of those who prayed with us for Jeanette, your prayers have been answered.  For these, we thank you all.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend Mrs. Parker's Life Celebration to be held on Monday, December 12, 2016 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Brookside Chapel & Funeral Home, 116 Main St., Plaistow, NH. Her funeral will begin on Tuesday at 8:45 a.m. from the funeral home with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in All Saints Church, 120 Bellevue Avenue, Haverhill. A private family burial service will take place at a later date. The family requests that memorial donations may be made to Merrimack Valley Hospice House or to The All Saint Parish Food Pantry.  To send a message of condolence to the family or to find directions to our home, please visit www.brooksidechapelfh.com