BIDDEFORD – JoAnn M. Jacques of Biddeford, passed away peacefully surrounded by her dear friends and family on Sept. 2, 2025. She was 87 years young.

JoAnn was born in Biddeford on Nov. 12, 1937, a daughter of Albert and Theodora (Foisy) Boissonneault. JoAnn graduated from St. Louis High School as a member of the class of 1955. She graduated from St. Mary’s School of Nursing in 1958. Shortly after graduation, she married her high school sweetheart, Richard “Dick” Jacques. They would be the love of each other’s life for the next 63 years until his death in 2022.

After graduation, JoAnn began a storied career as a Registered Nurse at Webber Hospital (now Southern Maine Medical Center) in Biddeford. She later was hired as the first school nurse for the Biddeford School Department where she worked until her retirement.

In 1970, JoAnn and Richard acquired the Clam Shack in Kennebunkport, and later bought Shackford and Gooch fish market which became Clam Shack Seafoods. They operated the Clam Shack for over 30 years. During their ownership, the Clam Shack grew from a small roadside takeout fast food stand to a widely recognized and honored seafood destination. The Clam Shack received numerous accolades including being featured in Bon Appetit magazine – the first fast food restaurant to be so honored. More importantly to JoAnn and Richard, their customers and the current owners became their friends.

JoAnn’s greatest and proudest achievement came from being an incredible and loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. JoAnn and Richard had four children, Keith Jacques and his wife Kathleen of Saco, Deacon Kevin Jacques and his wife Aline of Biddeford, Karen Jacques (deceased), and Kenneth Jacques of Alfred. “Mimi” or “Memere” was grandmother to Davis Jacques (fiancé Chelsea), Joshua Jacques (wife Kylie), Alex Jacques (wife Cricket), Zachariah Jacques (wife Katarina), and Karen Jacques. JoAnn truly enjoyed the newest additions to her family, great-grandchildren Silas, Elijah and Enzo who she affectionately referred to as “her babies.”

JoAnn and Richard rarely missed the opportunity to attend and support their children and grandchildren at sporting, school and family events (even when it meant sitting behind the catcher during Biddeford-TA baseball games so she didn’t show a bias!). She also rarely missed Red Sox, Patriots or more recently Notre Dame football games becoming grumpy after each loss. JoAnn was much-loved and will be deeply missed by all that knew her.

JoAnn was predeceased by her husband, Richard; daughter, Karen; her parents Albert and Theodora Boissoneault; and her brother-in-law, Ralph Jacques.

In addition to her sons and their families, she is survived by her brother, Michael Boissoneault and wife Dona of Kennebunk, brother-in-law, Raymond Jacques and wife Judy of Lyman, and sister-in-law, Charlotte Jacques of Biddeford. She also is survived by several cherished nieces and nephews; and her Ya-Ya sisters.

JoAnn and her family would like to thank the staff at Maine Medical Center and Seal Rock Healthcare for their exceptional medical care, compassion, and support.

Visiting hours will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday, Sept. 8, at Cote Funeral Home Chapel, 87 James St., Saco. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 9, at St. Joseph’s Church in Biddeford. Burial will follow in St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Biddeford.

To view JoAnn’s memorial page or leave an online condolence, please visit http://www.cotefuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift in JoAnn’s memory to the

Maine Cancer Foundation

at mainecancer.org.

170 U.S. Route 1, Suite 250

Falmouth, ME 04105

or to the

Alzheimer’s Association

at alz.org

225 N. Michigan Ave., Floor 17

Chicago, IL 60601