Obituary of Jacqueline F. Harvey

Jacqueline Finnegan Harvey passed away at her home on Saturday, August 31, 2024 surrounded by her children. She was 95 years old. She will be forever missed. Jacqueline was born July 2, 1929 to John and Blanche Finnegan of Moira, NY. The eldest of six farm children, she learned the value and rewards of a hard day’s work. After graduating from Brushton High School in 1947 as class salutatorian, Jacqueline obtained her teaching degree from Potsdam State Teachers College. Her teaching career began in Massena which was followed with four years in St. Regis Falls. Jackie often recalled the fun times at “the Falls” where she made lifelong friends. A colleague, Eunice Harvey, introduced her to William Harvey, her future husband. After substituting many years while raising her children, she was hired as Salmon River’s first full time substitute. In 1976 she began teaching 4th grade where she remained until her retirement in 1993. Jackie’s passionate commitment to teaching continued throughout her life. On August 18, 1956, Jacqueline and William Harvey were united in marriage. He predeceased her in 2009. They settled on the family dairy farm in Fort Covington where they raised six children. There she proudly remained for the rest of her life. Her endless love of learning was evidenced by the abundance of books, newspapers, maps and magazines throughout the house. There was rarely a day she didn’t pass along bits of knowledge to her children. She instilled the importance of higher education and unselfishly supported each child through college. Jackie had a strong catholic faith. She was a dedicated member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church of Fort Covington and a past parish council member. For several years she volunteered as a eucharistic minister to the elderly and homebound. She was part of the Monday morning money counters group which evolved into a weekly gathering of good conversations with very dear friends. Jackie was a lover of history and research. For many years she served as the Fort Covington town historian. She studied, chronicled, and read historical newspapers and local history. Binders of hand-written recorded data fill her many bookcases. Her extensive collection and organization of Fort Covington and surrounding towns history is extraordinary. Jackie had many interests. She loved all things Irish and celebrated her Irish heritage. While doing ancestor research, she traced her family roots back to County Cork and County Kerry, Ireland. Her involvement with the Country School gave her the opportunity to recall and pass along stories of earlier school days to a younger generation. Without fail, she needed a daily update on farm and barn activity. Each night, she looked forward to the evening news, weather report, Jeopardy, and Wheel of Fortune. She would pass the time completing puzzles, word searches, and sudoku. She was an avid reader, especially newspapers. Jackie’s outgoing and friendly personality lit up a room. Her curiosity and genuine interest in people made it easy to be her friend. She loved to learn about others and was good at asking questions but was just as happy listening to or telling a good story. To Jackie, nothing mattered more than family. Nana was so proud of her children and grandchildren and loved holding her new great grandchildren. Gathering with family around her kitchen table was her greatest joy. Among her survivors are her 6 children. Five daughters, Ann Dennis of Fort Covington, NY, Julie (Dave) Howard of Newark, NY, Martha (Jeff) Lucear of Cobleskill, NY, Mary Beth (Bill) Trombly of Chateaugay, NY, Kathryn (Bill) Smith of Fort Covington, NY and one son, Patrick (Kathleen) Harvey of Fort Covington, NY. Jackie is survived by 13 grandchildren: Emily Howard, Olivia (John) Cummings, Grant Howard, Sophia Lucear, Bella Lucear, Elizabeth (Julien) Couillard, Maggie (Nick) Farrell, Michael (Courtney) Trombly, Harvey Smith, Zachary Smith (Fiance Mckenzee Lazore), John Harvey, Allison Harvey, and Matthew Harvey. And 8 great grandchildren: Calvin, Evalyn, Scarlett, Zoey, Ivy, Finlee, Violet, and Maeve. She is survived by 2 sisters, Mary Lou Griffin, Peggy Susice, and sister in law Dorothy Finnegan and many nieces and nephews. Besides her parents and husband, she was predeceased by siblings Phyllis Jock, John Finnegan, R. Thomas Finnegan, sister in law Eunice Harvey and son in law Donald Dennis. Calling Hours will be Friday, September 6, 2024 from 3:00 - 7:00 at Cappiello McKenzie & Cosgrove Funeral Home in Fort Covington, NY. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11:00 am, September 7, 2024 at St. Mary’s Church, Fort Covington. Burial will follow at St. Joseph’s cemetery in Bombay. Please consider donations in her honor to the Fort Covington Historical Society or Hospice of the North Country.