POLAND — Jacqueline K. Harkins, 80, passed away suddenly at home, April 12.

Jackie was born in Morristown, N.J., Aug. 25, 1930. She later lived in Scranton, Pa. Jackie graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Marywood College. She and her family later moved to Portland.

She worked at Mercy Hospital and the former Osteopathic Hospital. Jackie loved children and wanted to teach, so she earned her teaching certificate from Saint Joseph’s College. She began her teaching career in elementary education at Russell School in Gray, in 1969, and she taught until 1983. She was a beloved teacher and mentor to her students, and is remembered to this day by many of them because of the enormous impact she made in their lives.

When she retired, she devoted herself to knitting for newborns an Central Maine Medical Center, and volunteering in the emergency department and the finance department. In addition to her beloved work at CMMC, she touched many other lives with her countless acts of kindness and generosity. Among other things, Jackie used her many talents to bless people with her cooking, sewing and knitting.

Jackie showed strength through her cancer diagnoses in between 2006 and 2009. She persevered and became a survivor. In keeping with her true nature of compassion and kindness, she then began knitting beautiful hats for the cancer survivors and donated them to the Patrick Dempsey Center in Lewiston.

When Jackie wasn’t helping others, she enjoyed playing Scrabble, doing many different kinds of crossword puzzles and watching murder mysteries on television.

This true angel leaves behind her husband, James J. Harkins III of nearly 56 years; and her adoring children, Michelle Adler, Jacqueline Harkins, James Harkins IV, and his wife, Amy. All will sadly miss her.

She was predeceased by her parents; Helen and Armour Kirby.

Online guest book www.thefortingroupauburn.com.

Copy the Story Link