Obituary of Jacqueline O Marchese

Jacqueline “Jackie” (Poland) Marchese, a registered nurse passed away on Wednesday, July 31 after a long illness. She was 68 years old.  Jackie was born in Somerville.  She was one of six children born to Leo and Alice Poland.  Jackie was raised and educated in Arlington.  She was a 1974 graduate of Arlington High School and then earned her nursing degree from Kathryn Laboure Junior College.  She worked at the Symmes Hospital in Arlington as a Registered Nurse until it closed and then at the Lahey Hospital and Medical Center in Burlington.  She spent her last five years working at the New England Rehabilitation Center in Woburn retiring in 2018 due to health issues.  She loved her career, caring for her patients, supporting their families, and working alongside her colleagues. 

Jackie’s life revolved around her family.  She met her husband Steve through mutual friends, and they were married in 1982.  They settled in Steve’s hometown of Burlington.  She had 2 sons whom she was always there to support and care for.  She was extremely proud of their life accomplishments.  She took great pride in hosting family gatherings.  Every season her house was transformed into a wonderland filled with ornaments, lights and decorations that she lovingly curated over the years.  Her holiday spirit was contagious and she made every occasion special, leaving behind memories that will be treasured forever.

In 2007, the family built a lake house on Lake Winnipesaukee which became her favorite gathering spot for her family, extended family and friends throughout the year.   Being the nurse in the family, Jackie was always there for her parents and in-laws to support them in the later years of their life with health issues and daily challenges associated with aging.  She was also the go to person for family, friends, and neighbors for all sorts of health-related questions.  Jackie had a wonderful circle of friends that she remained close to throughout her life.  Jackie has been suffering with her debilitating illness for years.  Being a nurse, she understood the short-term and long-term effects of the disease and made all her own health care decisions right up until her passing sparing her family from making the many difficult and heart breaking decisions that needed to be made.  Jackie lived her life taking care of others.  She always put everyone else’s happiness and well-being ahead of her own and will be sadly missed, but lovingly remembered by all.

Jackie was the beloved wife of 42 years to Stephen Marchese.  She was the proud mother and mother-in-law of Stephen Marchese, Jr. & his wife Tracey of Burlington and James Marchese & his wife Kalyn of CT.  She was the proud grandmother of Benjamin James and Abigail Olive Marchese.  She was the loving daughter of the late Leo and Alice Poland.  She was the sister of David Poland & his wife Serena of Mesa, AZ, Sue Moriarty & her husband Ted of Stratham, NH, Marcia Howell & her late husband’s Chris Howell & Brett Foust, and her late brother John Poland & his surviving wife Rita of Ashby MA, and the late Leo Poland, Jr.  She was the daughter-in-law of the late Dorothy and James Marchese.  She was the sister-in-law of the late James Marchese, Jr. & his surviving wife Patricia of Attleboro MA, Daniel & Marjorie Marchese of MN, and Paul & Joan Marchese of NH.  Jackie was also survived by many nieces, nephews, and friends.  However, Jackie is survived by the true love of her life Ally Cat.

Visiting hours will be held at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn Street, Burlington on Sunday, August 4 from 3 to 6 p.m.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Margaret Church in St. Veronica Parish, www.stveronicama.org, 111 Winn St., Burlington on Monday August 5 at 10 a.m. Services will conclude with an interment in Pine Haven Cemetery, Burlington.  Memorials in Jackie’s name may be made to the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, www.mspca.org, 350 South Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02130