Obituary: Jacqueline A. Morton Dies at 71

EPPING, N.H. – Jacqueline A. Morton, 71, of 11 Morgan Drive, formerly of Southbury, died January 14, 2012.  She was the wife of Michael J. Morton.

Mrs. Morton was born September 22, 1940, daughter of the late Avila J. and Alice B. (Roy) Bedard. A former resident of Naugatuck she lived in Southbury for 24 years before moving to New Hampshire in 2009. A graduate of Waterbury Catholic High School, she also attended Post College. She was employed by the Greater Waterbury Chamber of Commerce as secretary to the retail division manager. She later worked for the Waterbury Republican-American newspaper as a dictation clerk from 1977 until 1989, when she accepted a position with the Alderson Funeral Homes, Inc., in Waterbury, where she worked for 20 years, retiring in 2009 as their office manager.

Jackie’s interest in horses developed when she was very young, having owned two horses in her teens, one a fantastic barrel racing horse. Her affection for horses continued well into her married years. In 1982, she purchased a registered Morgan mare, her beloved Anna, which she owned for over 26 years, and in 1984, she and her husband purchased property in Southbury where Anna and another Morgan mare, Westwind, enjoyed the meadow of their small farm, entitled “Rayfield Farm,” so named after a dear friend.

After many weekend trips to New Hampshire, beginning in the early ‘90s, Jackie and Mike eventually developed a love affair with that state.  There were many memories also created with weekend getaways with dear friends to Northampton as well as bus trips to other points of interest.

She was a member of the American Morgan Horse Association for many years and the AARP. She had served as president and secretary of the former Parents and Friends Association of the Waterbury Regional Center in Cheshire for several years.

One of her hobbies was creating wedding cakes for family and friends. She also loved reading, especially anything pertaining to the Civil War, an interest that intensified after visiting the battlefield in Gettysburg, Pa.

Besides her husband of 50 years, she leaves two daughters, Cheryl A. Morton of Torrington, CT, and Michelle J. Morton-Curit and her husband, Roland, of Epping; three brothers, Dennis B. Bedard of S. Burlington, Vt., Paul R. Bedard of Dawsonville, Ga., and David P. Bedard of Littleton, Colo.; two step-granddaughters, Rachel and Mariel Curit of Otisfield, Maine, and several nieces and nephews.

Her funeral will be held on Thursday Jan. 19, 2012 at Sacred Heart Church, 910 Main St. South, Southbury, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. Friends may call at the Mulville Funeral Home, 270 West Main St., Waterbury on Wednesday Jan. 18 from 5 to 8 p.m., and on Thursday morning at Sacred Heart Church from 10 a.m. until the start of Mass. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Portsmouth, N.H., with a graveside service on Saturday Jan. 21 at 11 a.m. Memorial contributions may be made to DDS West Region Activity Fund, 55 West Main St., Waterbury CT 06702. For further information, to light a memorial candle, or to send an email condolence, go to, www.mulvillefh.com