Jacqueline "Jacki" M. (Sgroi) Harrington

Jacqueline “Jacki” M. Harrington, age 72, of Peabody died Thursday morning at her home, surrounded by her family, after a brief illness.

Born in Weston she was the daughter of the late Edmund A. and Helen E. (MacDonald) Sgroi. She attended schools in Weston and graduated from Weston High School, Class of 1967. She received her Bachelor’s Degree from Bridgewater State College, Class of 1971, and her Master’s Degree from Cambridge College in 1990.

Jacki began her career in education as a French teacher at Carter High School in Leominster in 1971 and continued her 37 year career in Lynn at both Pickering Jr. High School and at Lynn Classical High School. She retired in 2008 as the Department Head of Foreign Language at Lynn Classical. A dedicated French teacher, Jacki introduced her students to the French culture on field trips to French restaurants in Boston, French movies at local cinemas, and coordinated numerous trips to Paris. Jacki was also a Class Advisor and mentor to her students, actively involved in their lives outside of the classroom, attending their sporting events, weddings, and family celebrations.

 After retirement, Jacki became more involved with her interests in art, calligraphy, and gardening. Inspired by her love for gardening, she began incorporating pressed flowers from her garden into artwork. She became an international pressed flower award winner and traveled to China and England to participate in art shows. She also taught classes at her home and in the community. Much of her artwork was displayed at local galleries and stores in Newburyport, Portsmouth, and Rockport. Jacki was an active member of the Marblehead, Rockport and Newburyport Art Associations. Jacki’s physical fitness remained high participating in Pilates classes several times per week. She was a loving mother and grandmother and traveled regularly to visit her grandson in San Diego.

She is survived by one son, Matthew R. Harrington of Peabody, one daughter Katherine V. and her husband Michael Morrill of San Diego, her grandson Ethan Morrill of San Diego, two brothers Allan and his wife Joann Sgroi of Acton, Richard Sgroi of Reading one sister Priscilla Barrett of Reading, and several nieces and nephews.

Service Details: Memorial visiting hours for Jackie will be held at the Parker Funeral Home 35 Franklin St. Lynn on Sunday from 2:00 – 6:00 PM to which relatives and friends are invited to attend. Funeral Services will be private.

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