OBITUARY: Catherine J. (Jaquith) Jensen, 94

Below is an obituary from Nichols Funeral Home:

WILMINGTON, MA — Catherine J. Jensen, “Cathy”, a long-time resident of Wilmington, MA, passed away peacefully on April 2, 2025, surrounded by family.

Cathy was born on January 5, 1931, in Brookline, MA; she was the cherished daughter of the late Alvan C. and Marion (Hamilton) Jaquith. As a young girl, Cathy was raised and educated in the Newton Highlands area of Newton, MA, before moving to Wilmington at the age of 12. Cathy loved her new community and made many new friends; she attended Wilmington schools and was a graduate of Wilmington High School with the Class of 1948. Cathy was extremely active during her school years; she played sports, was involved in the drama club, she was the typist for her school yearbook, maintained excellent grades, was on the honor roll and graduated as the Class Essayist.

Cathy also had a great faith in God, and she quickly became a member of the Wilmington United Methodist Church at the age of 12; this made Cathy the longest-Term Member to date of the Church. Cathy enjoyed being involved in youth ministry and loved to attend the Methodist Youth Fellowship meetings and socials; it was at one of those meetings that she met a handsome young man, Bill Jensen, and they became best of friends.

Cathy and Bill began dating when she was still in High School and they were married on September 11, 1949. The couple settled in their Glendale Circle neighborhood where the neighbors were more like family, and they shared many wonderful times together. Cathy’s family was her priority; she was a very devoted wife and mother who supported and encouraged her family to follow their dreams. She was a wonderful homemaker and hostess; her door was always open to family and friends and her kitchen full of homemade treats that she baked herself. Cathy treasured her role as a grandmother and great-grandmother; she looked forward to spending time with her family and was so proud of their accomplishments.

Cathy was a hard worker throughout her life; she worked at a wholesale decorations store for several years while holding a seasonal position at the IRS for several years. Cathy also spent many years as a bank teller for the Melrose Savings Bank. Cathy’s endearing personality along with her vast knowledge and excellent customer service skills made her quite successful in every job she held.

In her spare time, Cathy would volunteer her time and talents at the various Methodist Church suppers, fundraisers, and belonged to several women’s groups throughout the years. Cathy also spent many hours volunteering at the Winchester Hospital helping patients as well as their families; Cathy was always so kind towards everyone and made them feel like family.

Cathy loved to go camping with family, friends, and neighbors whether it was long weekends or summers spent at the camp with the kids, they always had a lot of fun and made many wonderful memories throughout the years. Cathy and Bill traveled cross country several times seeing most of the 50 States including Alaska and enjoying the beauty of the United States. Cathy and Bill also enjoyed their 50th Anniversary trip to Scandinavia where they experienced a new culture, loved meeting new people, and seeing where their ancestors came from.

Cathy will be remembered as a sweet lady, kind, generous, and always willing to lend a hand to others. She was an avid reader and a talented knitter who made beautiful gifts for her family and friends. Cathy loved her family with all her heart, and she will forever be missed.

Cathy was the beloved wife of nearly 70 years to the late William H. Jensen, devoted mother of William H. Jensen, Jr. and his wife Mary of Franklin, Robin Gillis and her husband Bob of Plymouth, and Peter Jensen and his wife Beth of Andover. Lovingly known as “Grandma” or “Nana” to her grandchildren William Jensen III and his partner Israel Cervantes, Erica Jensen and her husband Charles Muir, Jessica O’Brien and her fiancé Steve Sheppard, Amanda Ingraham and her husband Tom, Hilary Nadeau and her husband Paul, Phillip Elliott and his wife Miranda, Kim Elliott, Jennifer DeLucia and her husband Rich, Robbie Gillis and his wife Kate, Peter Jensen and his wife Laura, Andrew Jensen, Christian Jensen and his wife Hailey, Laura Thomae and her husband Chris, Benjamin Perkins and his wife Brittany, Ashely Burke and her husband Ryan. “Gigi” to her great-grandchildren Jack, Aidan, Macy, Charlotte, Madeleine, Zoe, Sylvie, Lainie, Izzie, Pat, Louie, Sofia, Kiera, Lillian, Riot, Liam, Edie, Louie, Kailey, Elise, James, Sadie and Maeve. Dear sister of the late Alvan Jaquith.

Family and friends will gather for a Funeral Service on Friday, April 11th at 11:00 a.m. in the Wilmington United Methodist Church, 87 Church St. (Rte. 62), Wilmington, MA. Interment will follow in Wildwood Cemetery, Wilmington, MA.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Cathy’s memory may be made to The Pan Mass Challenge, which gives 100 percent of money donated to Dana Farber/The Jimmy Fund where her grandson was treated and beat cancer. Cathy was passionate in support of her son Peter’s rides every year in the Pan Mass Challenge. To donate please visit PMC.org click on Donate, rider name is Peter Jensen rider ID# PJ0010.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Nichols Funeral Home, Wilmington, MA. To leave a message of condolence for the family please visit our website at www.nicholsfuneralhome.com.