ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Margaret (Ricci) St. Jacques, beloved mother, wife, sister, teacher, and friend, passed away on May 1, 2021 in Alexandria, Va. She was 84 years old. Born on June 10, 1936 in Portland, Maine, to Carolyn and Sebastian Ricci, Margaret graduated from Portland High School and the University of Maine. After teaching in Brunswick, Margaret returned to Portland to teach Spanish and French at King Middle School until her retirement in 2004. In 1974, Margaret married Philip St. Jacques in Portland. They welcomed their daughter in 1977 and Margaret loved being a mother, guiding her “runaway bunny” through life with constant support and love. Margaret also loved teaching. “Tough, but fair,” her students would say. She spent countless hours preparing lessons for her students and enjoyed finding special decorations and supplies for her classrooms. As Margaret battled dementia toward the end of her life and relocated to long term care, she remained an amazing mother and friend. “Could we buy an extra box of cookies so I can give some to my friends?” was a frequent request. When she wasn’t walking outside or watching Jeopardy, Margaret was keeping her love of languages alive by speaking Spanish and French with both staff and residents.Margaret credited her faith for giving her strength. She could often be found praying her rosary or speaking quietly to the image of the Blessed Mother that she kept beside her bed. Margaret was predeceased by her parents, husband, Philip, and brothers, Michael and Edwin.She is survived by her daughter, Carolyn and brother, Benedict.Margaret will be interred at Brooklawn Memorial Park in Portland on July 23, at 1 p.m. Please join us there to celebrate Margaret’s beautiful life.

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