MEDFORD, MA: Jacqueline Soychak, 76, died December 5, 2017 at Courtyard Nursing Home in Medford, Massachusetts. She was born in Lawrence, Massachusetts on August 22, 1941; a daughter of the late Thomas and Mary (Ryan) Gallagher.
She graduated from Winthrop High School and obtained her bachelor's degree in English at Bates College. While raising four children, she earned her Master's degree at the University of Southern Maine. Jacqueline spent her entire career as a dedicated educator of Maine high school students. She taught English and Literature at Lisbon Falls High School and then taught English at South Portland High School where she later became a vice principal. She then went on to become Principal of South Portland High School and remained in that position for several years.
When Poland Regional High School was established, she was selected as its founding principal. She then proceeded to work for the Maine Department of Education as the Education Policy Director of Federal Programs where she developed policies to increase educational opportunities for all Maine students until her retirement.
Jacqueline was proud of her Irish heritage and loved spending time with her daughters and grandchildren.
She is survived by her four daughters, Monica Nadler and her husband Timothy of Lexington, MA; Amanda Repsher and her husband Dave of Silverthorne, CO; Cecilia Owens and her husband Scott of Westborough, MA and Antonia Soychak who lives in South Korea; three grandchildren Emily, Sarah and Jack; and three siblings, Regina, Helen and Richard. She was predeceased by her sister Mary, brother Jean, and her ex-husband, Anthony Soychak.
Visiting hours will be held December 27 from 4-7 PM at the funeral home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday December 28 at 10 AM at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Portland followed by a reception and celebration of Jacqueline's life.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America, www.alzfdn.org.
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