Renee (Day) Parody Jenkins

Renee (Day) Parody Jenkins, 95 of Gill, MA passed peacefully on Sunday, September 3, 2023, In Concord, MA, surrounded by her son Greg, daughter Ellen and granddaughter Charlotte. She was predeceased by her husband, George V. Parody, Jr. of Greenfield, MA and later by Nelson H. Jenkins of Shelburne, MA. She is survived by Ellen Bean, of Concord, MA, Greg Parody of Gill, MA and Tracy Hale of Greenfield, MA, 6 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. Second daughter, Debra Parody, predeceased her in 2001 after a long battle with multiple sclerosis.

Born in Gill, MA on December 19, 1927 to Evelyn (Hastings) and Chester Day, she resided in Gill her entire life, as did her mother and maternal grandmother, whose husband, Herbert Hastings, was the Gill village blacksmith. She was a graduate of Turners Falls High School, class of 1945. She was actively involved in the Gill Community as a volunteer for community activities and worked at the polls for decades.

She was a well-known cake decorator and teacher of the art in the Franklin County area and beyond for decades, having built her business after people saw the wedding cake she made for her brother’s wedding in 1957. Word of mouth spread, and she developed a thriving business. She made cakes for Wilson’s Department Store ‘s annual wedding shows and made Wilson’s 50th anniversary cakes. She was the first cake decorator to be asked to participate in Old Deerfield’s juried craft fair, once touted as ”New England’s Most Beautiful Craft Fair.” Kodak once used one of her cakes in a promotional film for a wedding photo advertisement.

She attended upholstering classes and reupholstered several chairs for her home.  She also refinished furniture for her home. Sewing classes expanded her knowledge domestic skills, and she made dresses and outfits for her school-age girls as well as knit suits for herself. With her best friend, she loved going to tag sales on Saturday mornings.

She was an avid reader all her life.  As a senior citizen, she enjoyed Bingo and socializing at the Montague Senior Center, giving rides to those who didn’t drive. For years, she baked a 

diversity of treats for the members of the Gill Congregational church, carefully noting their favorites so she could bake them again at a later date. Beginning in 1998, she began making her own Christmas cards and continued to do so through December 2021. Her cards from 1999 on were unique for her use of fabric.

The family gratefully thanks the care providers from Care Dimensions Hospice for their professional and emotional support. Special thanks Dr Hilburn, Nurse Endrie (truly the best), Aid Meon, Social worker Tracy, and Musician Katie who shared their compassion and talent to make her final year as comfortable and pleasant as possible.

Services will be announced at a later date.

Donations in her memory may be made to Care Dimensions, 333 Wyman Street, Suite 100, Waltham, MA 02451, or to the Gill, MA Fire Department at 196A Main Road, Gill, MA 01354.

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