Mary Jacqueline Raymond's Obituary
Mary Jacqueline Feeser Raymond (“Jacquie”) of Spotsylvania County passed away peacefully at Bickford Assisted Living on August 13, 2017, surrounded by family and loved ones. She was 83.
Born in Springfield, Ohio, Jacquie was the seventh of eight children born to the late Albert L. and Clara Bennett Feeser. Her father died when she was 4, at the height of the Great Depression. She and her older siblings helped her mother keep the family together. It was during these formative years that she developed her passion for sewing. She was a Girl Scout and won the contest for designing the Girl Scout Pen Pal badge.
She met Lawrence Raymond at a high school basketball game on her 16th birthday. Two years later, they were married. Through her creativity and passion, she designed and sewed her wedding dress and her bridesmaid’s dresses. She lovingly restored her wedding dress for her youngest daughter’s wedding 36 years later.
Jacquie and Larry enjoyed 63 years of marriage until Larry passed away in February of 2016. Together, they raised three children and five grandchildren.
Jacquie started work as a telephone operator while still in high school. She continued working as Larry was attending The Ohio State University and as children were born. Although a difficult time, she cherished those memories as the most wonderful. She later became an emergency room operator, a surgical technician, and eventually realized her dream of becoming a nurse. After she and Larry moved to Fredericksburg in 1972, she worked for several doctors, the last being Dr. Philip Fuller. Dr. Fuller recently recalled that she assisted him with more than 2,500 bronchoscopies.
Sewing requires patience, perseverance and love. The same is true with raising a family. The fabric of Jacquie’s being was her family, and Jacquie blended her passions for her family and sewing in all that she did. She lovingly made every Halloween costume for her children and grandchildren. An avid sewer and collector of dolls, for many years Jacquie was active in a local quilter’s guild and the Red Hat Society. She served as a Girl Scout Leader and Camp Fire Girls Leader. She had an incredible wit and intelligence, and was a champion for the underdog. She and Larry were great lovers of animals and children, and lovingly welcomed all to their home.
She is survived by her daughters, Margaret “Meg” Raymond, and Mollie Raymond Creasey with her husband Roy; grandchildren, Nathan Anderson Cass, Jr., Logan Raymond Cass, Danielle Joanne Raymond, Jonathan “Jack” David Raymond, Jr., and Peyton Hall Cass; two step-grandchildren; a step-great-granddaughter; and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and husband, Jacquie was preceded in death by her son, Jonathan David Raymond, Sr.
A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, September 2, 2017 at The Presbyterian Church in Fredericksburg. The family will receive friends beginning at 10:00 a.m. in the church parlor. A reception in Jacquie’s honor will be held after the service in the Fellowship Hall. A private cremation service will be held with the family.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in her honor to The Presbyterian Church, 810 Princess Anne St., Fredericksburg, VA 22401, or online at www.fredericksburgpc.org.
The family expresses its deep gratitude to the staff at Bickford Assisted Living for not only the care they provided, but for their love of Jacquie.
Found and Sons Funeral Chapel of Fredericksburg is providing attentive care to Jacquie and her family during this time of loss.
What’s your fondest memory of Mary?
What’s a lesson you learned from Mary?
Share a story where Mary's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Mary you’ll never forget.
How did Mary make you smile?