JACALYN VINCIQUERRA STEWART

Jacalyn, known to most as Jackie, was born on October 30, 1953 in Syracuse to Anthony and Olga Vinciquerra. As the middle child, Jackie was very close to her brothers, Anthony and Mark, holding a special place in their hearts. Vivacious and outgoing, she made friends easily, and thoroughly enjoyed social gatherings, especially during the holidays. She loved reading and writing, and from an early age expressed an interest in becoming an educator.

Following her graduation from Henninger High School in 1971, Jackie enrolled at LeMoyne College, and in 1975 obtained a Bachelor’s degree in English and Journalism. She received her Master’s from SUNY Cortland in 1976, and a Certificate of Advanced Studies in Administration in 1990. Jackie was certified in New York State as an English teacher, school administrator and supervisor. She was an English teacher with the Syracuse City School District from 1978-1988; Administrative Intern at Corcoran High School from 1988-1990; Vice-Principal at G. Ray Bodley High School from 1990-1998, and Principal there from 1998 until her retirement in August 2003. In July 2004 Jackie was appointed to the Fulton Board of Education until she retired in October 2004.

Committed to her career, Jackie also enjoyed scrap booking, traveling (especially Cape Cod), music, the arts, literature, and collecting seashells from New England beaches. Jackie was always involved with several boards and committees, most of which dealt with improving the lives of others. Most of all, however, she enjoyed sharing her love of life with her son, Glenn, the absolute center of her universe. Jackie loved telling stories about him, and was not only proud of his many accomplishments, but of his character as well.

In November of 2001, Jackie was diagnosed with breast cancer. From the onset she was determined to challenge her diagnosis and defy the odds. In many ways, Jackie’s struggle with cancer taught us how to live. Always the consummate teacher, she taught us lessons of the heart, lessons of the soul, and lessons of the spirit.

Jackie truly embodied compassion and generosity cherishing all her friendships, touching the lives of countless individuals. She loved without boundaries, and was loved without reservation. She had a feisty spirit, tempered by a just heart. Her courage, faith and gratitude were inspirational. She continued to console others as she faced her own challenges. Jackie once shared the grief over the progression of cancer with an elderly fellow patient. This woman told Jackie that her treatment was being discontinued as it was of no further use. When asked how she responded, Jackie simply said, “I hugged and kissed her, and told her faith takes over where medicine leaves off.” Her sense of humor always prevailed as she told her brothers with a mischievous gleam in her eyes, “Unlike you guys, my hair loss is temporary if I stop the chemo.” The cultural diversity mural she inspired at G. Bodley H.S. typifies her love of people, individuality, and harmony. Jackie gave from the heart, working feverishly on memory scrapbooks to leave to loved ones, even as she struggled with manual dexterity and frequent exhaustion. Her love of children was immeasurable, giving any pied piper a run for the money.? Her nieces and nephews would flock to “Aunt Jackie”, and simply beam when she would ask, “How are my babies?” But most impressive was her belief that each day was a gift from God for which she was truly blessed. Incredibly enough, she spoke of her gratitude during infusions, chemotherapy, as she struggled to eat Thanksgiving dinner and, later, while she was receiving palliative care at Francis House. She once said, “I really am blessed. I have been given the opportunity to bring closure to my life. I can use this time to heal wounds, mend relationships, speak my piece and, hopefully, inspire and encourage others. How many people have that?” Jackie was truly living with cancer, not dying with it. Until the very end she never gave up; when at peace, she simply let go.

Jackie felt privileged to be a part of the Carol M. Baldwin Breast Cancer Research Fund. She drew strength from the love and support from its members, and in turn, inspired others, leaving an imprint on their hearts. Just a few months before she left this world she took the time to be a volunteer at the Fund’s annual golf tournament. Jackie died on December 22, 2004, as her cancer had aggressively metastasized. She will, however, be remembered not only for how she died, but rather for how she lived. For those of us fortunate enough to have known Jackie, it is of great comfort to believe that wherever we go in this world, she will only be as far away as our hearts.