Jacqueline High-Pagni

Jackie entered her life’s journey on December 14, 1938, born in Chillicothe, IL to Helen (Tucker) High and Charles High, who precede her in death. She is survived by her husband, Ramone Gerald Pagni of Wisconsin, Jackie resided with him in Rocheport, MO until her passing. She is also survived by her younger sisters, Christine (Jim) Wright and Mame High, her five children Amy (Berto) Garcia, Sally (Michael) Fuglestad, Ginger (Michael) Acopiado, Katy (Jim) Sotos, and Michael (Nancy) Rohman; as well as her 15 grandchildren, Jen, Marc, Millie, Elisa, Jason, Randy, Ryan, Matt, Joey, Tommy, Christian, Danny, Jimmy, Brian (Sara), and Danny; seven great-grandchildren; as well as niece Melissa and nephews, Don, Jon, and their families.

Jackie was a tenacious pursuer of education, achieving her Bachelors of Psychology and Masters of Education from Bradley University in Peoria, IL while raising 5 children. She proceeded to educate thousands of children in the Peoria County school system before moving to Rolling Meadows in 1975. She taught in the Cook and Lake County school systems until getting her Ph.Ed. at the age of 60 from Roosevelt University of Chicago. Her dream of becoming a college professor was fulfilled in 1999 when she went to teach at Columbia University in Columbia, MO as an adjunct professor, and ended her teaching career as adjunct professor at Central Methodist University in Fayette, MO in 2021. Her favorite downtime activities with husband, Jerry, included watching college sports, the Cubs, Bears, and Packers, and tending to her yard. They enjoyed the wonderful natural beauty of their surroundings, including the ornery deer who ate their plantings, the brilliantly colored orioles and hummingbirds, and the feral cats that languished in the sun across the street. Jackie had a brilliant, indefatigable mind, a fierce unconditional love for her children and grandchildren, and the men and women devoted and strong enough to walk life’s path with them. Her children will forever remember her laughter over the absurd, her depth of political conversations and convictions, and her fierce conviction that her children and grandchildren were among the most brilliant people on earth. The world is better for her inventive and creative teaching style, and the children she inspired; along with her championing of the underdog, all of which led to her being one the most beloved educators by students wherever she taught. She was taken from her family too soon, and will be missed so very much by all who knew and loved her.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the American Heart Association in Jackie’s name.