Jacqueline (Bennett) Wunschel died unexpectedly on January 1, 2024. She was the devoted wife of Donald Wunschel for 54 years, the loving mother to their daughter, Kristin, loyal sister to Ted Wong, and superb grandmother to Owen and Teagan.
 
Jackie was born in Cambridge, MA in 1947. In her early years, she grew up in Walpole, MA and later, her family relocated to West Yarmouth. Jackie graduated from DY Regional High School and the Chandler School for Women. Jackie met her husband Don when she was 16 and they were best friends for almost 60 years. They married in 1969 and took up residence in Chelmsford, MA for 33 years. Jackie was an active school volunteer when Kristin was young and was also a past president of the Chelmsford Garden Club.
 
Jackie enjoyed creating flower arrangements for the Art in Bloom program at the Boston's Museum of Fine Arts, and was a fundraiser for the Chelmsford Holiday Decorating Committee. Jackie was also a member of the Lowell General Hospital Auxiliary. She was named Person of The Week by the Chelmsford Independent newspaper. Jackie was an extraordinarily caring and compassionate person who went out of her way during her entire life to help older people in need. When Kristin went to college, Jackie went back to work in healthcare. She was the office manage for Dr. William Mast in Chelmsford. In 2004, Jackie and Don relocated to South Yarmouth and she began work as an administrative assistant to Dr. Lawrence McAuliffe, Cardiologist for 9 years. During this time, a writer of a weekly article for the Cape Cod Times and patient of the practice wrote an article one Thanksgiving Day about what she was thankful for. She wrote, "I was in the hands of the angels. It was Jackie - ... who answered". Her family also considered Jackie their angel.
 
Jackie is pre-deceased by her mother, Grace Tavernier. She is survived by her husband Don, her beloved daughter Kristin of Marshfield, her cherished grandchildren, Owen and Teagan Badgio, her beloved brother Ted Wong and his wife JoAnn of Sherborn, and several cousins, especially Diane Martindale and Debbie Donovan, with whom she enjoyed frequent jaunts around the Cape.
 
Visiting hours will be at Hallett Funeral Home, 273 Station Avenue, South Yarmouth on Friday, January 12, 2024, from 2:00 -6:00 p.m. A memorial service is planned for Saturday, January 1,3 2024, at 11:00a.m. at the First Congregational Church of Yarmouth, at 329 Route 6A, Yarmouth Port, followed by interment at Woodside Cemetery on Summer Street in Yarmouth Port.
 
In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made in Jackie’s honor and memory to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute to support cancer research and patient care. Dana-Farber Cancer Institute P.O. Box 849168 Boston, MA 02284 Or via dana-farber.org/gift

Dear Don and family, I just heard the news about Jackie. I can’t believe it. I have such fond memories of spending many days on your beautiful porch overlooking the river chatting about this and that and feeling lucky to have such wonderful friends and neighbors that I could always count on. I will miss Jackie and her warm smile, great sense of humor and her welcoming heart. I pray you find some comfort during this time of tremendous loss. Sending you love and strength, Joanne

My condolences to Jackie's family I was blessed to have been able to work with Jackie for over five years at the Cardiovascular Specialists. I have never known such a beautifully spirited and kind hearted person. To know her, was to love her. With sincerest condolences, Melissa Reilly

Rhodes and I have always loved being in the company of Jackie and Don - an extraordinary and loving couple and true friends. We will miss Jackie and have so many beautiful memories of the thoughtful things she did and her loving and caring nature. While Jackie lived in Chelmsford I was thankful to work with her on some of the committees and organizations she gave her time to. What wonderful memories. Love to Don and all her family.

Dear Don & family, there are no words that will ever make you feel better, only time will do that. Please know that we love you and we will miss Jackie more than words can say. We had some of the best and most fun times with you two (and the group) that we've had in a long time! Jackie will be in our hearts forever, as will you.

Don and family, I’m so sorry to hear of Jackie’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you.