In Memory of Jackie Cannarella
The Ursuline college community will hold a memorial mass for Jackie Cannarella on Sunday, February 15, at 1pm. The mass will be held at the Chapel of the Most Holy Trinity: 2600 Lander Rd. Pepper Pike.
To honor Jackie’s memory a fund has been established in her name to assist nursing students in need. Friends and colleagues who would like to contribute to this fund in Jackie’s memory should contact the Breen School of Nursing at 440 646-8166 or the Ursuline College Development Office at 440-646-8355. Gifts in Jackie’s memory can be sent to The Breen School of Nursing of Ursuline College, 2550 Lander Road, Pepper Pike, Ohio, 44124. Checks should be made payable to Ursuline College referencing the gift in memory of Jackie Cannarella on the memo line.
Remembering Jackie Cannarella
Jackie was one of the best people I have ever met. She inspired me to be the teacher I am today.
Victoria Bowden ’95
One of the most special memories that I had with Jackie Cannarella was almost four years ago when I first came to Ursuline College. I hadn't started the nursing program and Jackie handle all of my admission paper work. She was so caring and supportive. In other words she was the first person to nurse me at Ursuline College. She got me to where I am today. Whenever I would run into her in the halls she would always smile and ask "how are you doing"? She will be greatly missed and my condolences go out to family and friends.
Te'Sharra Cowan ’08
Jackie was my advisor for the RN to BSN program. I never even knew that she was ill. She heroically persevered through her personal battle, never letting it define who she was. She continued to assist and encourage students with the same passion and drive that she always had. She is a true mentor to past, present, and future nurses. May her memory live on forever, here at Ursuline and throughout the nursing community.
Karen M. Herbert ’08
What I will most remember about Jackie is how she was always so positive and upbeat, even during her illness. She would stop by my office on her way to the restroom or the copy machine, and over the years we shared kids' stories, recipes, health issues, and just plain "girl talk." Mullen 3 is a lot sadder without Jackie; I am, too.
Celeste Wiggins
Jackie was assigned to be my mentor when I began working at Ursuline and she was the best mentor anyone could ever have. I always knew where to go whenever I had a question about advising, or policies and procedures or where I should go to find something out. She was such a kind and tender hearted person and I will miss her tremendously. I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to meet her two lovely daughters and her husband and family at the Cleveland Clinic. What a wonderful family. No wonder she was so proud of them. My prayers are with them.
Bev Schaefer
Jackie Cannerella was, simply put... a lovely human being. When I first joined the faculty at Ursuline she took her sense of humor and acceptance of me, with all my crazy quirks and weaknesses and made me look forward to being around her, and to being her friend. I could always talk with her, and "vent" when ever I had a problem. I will miss her. There is no doubt that she is in heaven, her love of God and of people were the blessing we had, here on earth knowing her.
Cindy Schneider
Math Geek Mom: A Sad Goodbye...This is a sad week in the life of Ursuline College, as one of our own has died. Jackie, a member of our nursing faculty since 1973, was called home Friday of last week, and our campus mourns her loss. Jackie was integral to the growth of our nursing education program, a program that has become almost synonymous with the words "Ursuline College" She assisted the math department when we undertook a total revision of our curriculum several years ago, and was an important spokesperson for the nursing program. She could always be counted on to work with faculty throughout the college and to communicate the needs and requirements of the nursing students to the rest of the faculty. I served on several committees with her, and recall fondly the enthusiasm she brought to her work. I know that I will be automatically reaching for the phone to call her about advising questions for a long time to come. But it was not just advising questions that Jackie was there to help me with. She joyfully helped celebrate the adoption of my daughter and helped to welcome her into the extended Ursuline family. I recall her supportive words to me at times when I was lost as a middle age mother of a preschooler. Somehow, coming from a nursing professor, her assurance that it would all be fine made me feel much better. In the back of my mind, I sometimes thought that maybe she would teach my daughter as a nursing student some day. I recall how several years ago I dislocated my shoulder while swimming at a public pool, only to find myself in a local emergency room with a graduate of Ursuline's nursing program responsible for getting it back into its socket. I made some comment about how "I hope I didn't fail you in statistics", but deep down, I knew that I was in the best of hands. People like Jackie run an excellent program and turn out only the most competent nurses. I knew I would be fine, and I am. Our nursing graduates, all beneficiaries of Jackie's teaching in one way or another, are scattered throughout Cleveland and the world, bringing top-notch health care to many. She leaves a legacy of graduates who will carry on her work for many years into the future. I am reminded at this sad time of another professor whose life was cut short much too soon. My history professor from college, an inspiration to my own academic career, died suddenly at much too young of an age. He had a favorite quote that I think is appropriate as we mourn the passing of another great teacher. In the play "A Man for All Seasons", the character Rich is contemplating a career as a teacher. He asks More "and if I was, who would know it?" The reply from Sir Thomas More says it all. "You, your pupils, your friends, God. Not a bad public, that." Goodbye, Jackie. This mom of a young child will always appreciate the encouraging words you had to offer.
Rosemarie Emanuele
Please share your memories of Jackie.
