Jacqueline B. Picken

Jacqueline B. (Bonomini) Picken, 78, of Nashua, passed away suddenly on August 26, 2023, at
Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.

She was born in Boston, MA on July 5, 1945, the daughter of the late Rene and Jeannine
(Hildebrand) Bonomini. Jackie was a spiritual woman who deeply loved Jesus, and whose life was
filled with compassion, joy, friendship, ministry, creativity and love. She was a beacon of hope and
tenacious optimism, seeing the good in every situation, and in every person. She refused to judge or
condemn anyone. She poured herself into every opportunity to help others. Most recently, she worked at St. Gianna's Place, a home for pregnant women in need.

Jackie was an artist (studied art in Boston and France), an avid writer, and even raced cars in
tournaments as a young woman. She played guitar, tambourine, sang, wrote and recorded music,
including her contributions to a 1992 album, “Worship In Spirit & Truth”, with her husband and many friends and musicians in the Faith community. She wrote essays, poetry, stories, faith teachings, and even published four stunning editions of her own Christian magazine entitled “Elijah’s Mantle.”

From prayer groups and Charismatic conferences, to speaking engagements for faith retreats and special worship events, Jackie’s gifts of public speaking captivated her audience’s attention with wit and wisdom. She reached out prayerfully to Christian believers from every denomination to create unity within the Body of Christ. “Together, in the Spirit of Elijah” was Jackie’s heartfelt mission. For more than 15 years, Jackie, along with her late husband, Ernie, participated in the St. Patrick Music Ministry in Pelham, NH. During that time Jackie taught and organized many Bible studies, prayer groups, and spiritual events not only for St. Patrick Parish, but many churches and parishes within the Diocese of Manchester.

The historic Franciscan Center in Andover, MA was Jackie’s place of employment for almost four years. She organized retreats and days of prayer for teens in the region, and in the millennium year 2,000, helped coordinate a major fine arts event called “Art From The Heart.” Artists from all over participated and presented every religious art form imaginable: paintings, iconography, liturgical and cultural dancers, praise musicians, and more. Jackie and her ambitious creative team encouraged all the Friars throughout the Franciscan Center to assist with everything from stage sets to parking cars and directing traffic. Thousands attended that memorable event.

The child of 2 French parents, Jackie spoke French fluently and spent portions of childhood and young adulthood living w/ extended family in Provence, France. Her grandmother had a French restaurant in Boston, and her beloved Papa (Rene Bonomini) was an amazing French-Italian chef who had successful restaurants in Maynard and Boxborough, MA. Jackie grew up in these restaurants, and worked at Papa’s restaurant, La Petite Auberge, in Maynard. Through Papa’s influence and expertise, Jackie became an incredible cook herself. She will be remembered for her delicious Provençal cuisine and colorful evenings telling anecdotes about Papa’s slapstick antics in her impression of his accent.

Jackie will be remembered for her laughter, her endless spiritual joy, her limitless compassion, and her open willingness to help anyone in need. Two of Jackie’s most precious life treasures were her children, Jonathan Picken and Jessica Picken (Perez). She enjoyed every moment of their lives and was a devoted mother. Jackie was the widow of Ernest O. Picken III who died in 2010. Jackie is survived by her son, Jonathan Picken and his wife Myriam of Everett, MA; her daughter, Jessica-Lynne Perez and her husband Daniel of Nashua; two grandchildren, AnaSophia and Raphaella Perez; and several nephews, nieces, and cousins.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, September 8, 2023, at St. Kathryn
Church, 4 Dracut Rd., Hudson, NH at 10:30 a.m.. Prior to the Mass, a viewing/visitation will take place in the Church from 9:45 to 10:30 a.m. A private inurnment will take place in Mt. Calvary Cemetery Mausoleum at a later date. Phaneuf Funeral Homes and Crematorium, Manchester, is assisting with arrangements.