Jacqueline Mary Cossentino

1964 - 2019

Jacqueline Mary Cossentino died in her sleep on December 15, 2019, at the age of 55 in her West Hartford, Connecticut, home. Relentlessly, Jackie fought an eleven-month battle with colon cancer, living her life to the fullest before finally succumbing. Born June 6, 1964, in Baltimore, Maryland, Jackie was the only child of Carmen Griffith Cossentino and John Thomas Cossentino. She attended Notre Dame Preparatory School and Smith College before continuing graduate studies at the Harvard Graduate School of Education where she received her doctorate in in Administration, Planning, and Social Policy in 1999. Jackie's entire adult life was spent in education. Variously, she was a middle and high school English teacher; an elementary school principal; a provider of professional development for schools, districts, and museums; a professor of educational leadership at the University of Maryland; and a founder and leader of the National Center for Montessori in the Public Sector. It was in Montessori education where Jackie found her true passion and life's work. Captivated by the tremendous impact Montessori had on her own son, Jackie became a researcher of the pedagogy, and subsequently led two Montessori schools. It was in the public realm, however, where Jackie thought Montessori could have the greatest impact. For the final twelve years of her life, Jackie tirelessly promoted public Montessori for more children. She was a vocal advocate, wrote extensively, and created tools and handbooks for Montessori practitioners. The sole purpose of the organization she co-founded in 2012, the National Center for Montessori in the Public Sector (NCMPS), was to create more and better public Montessori schools. With her leadership NCMPS, grew from a small organization with three part-time employees to an internationally renowned organization with 12 employees and numerous consultants who start and assist public Montessori schools throughout the world, although focusing primarily on the United States. Jackie is survived by her husband, Keith Whitescarver, and their son, Jack Whitescarver; her father John Thomas Cossentino and his wife and Jackie's stepmother, Donna Cossentino; Kris Davis, stepbrother, and his wife Noel, and their children Jake and Ella;and Tracey Collins, stepsister, and husband John. Jackie was preceded in death by her mother, Carmen Cossentino. A Memorial Service is being held at Saint James's Episcopal Church, 1018 Farmington Avenue, West Hartford, Connecticut, on Friday, December 20, at 1:00 p.m. The service will be immediately followed by a reception and celebration of Jackie. Flowers can be sent to Sheehan-Hilborn-Breen Funeral Home, 1084 New Britain Avenue, West Hartford, CT 06110. Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to the National Center for Montessori in the Public Sector at https://www.public-montessori.org/support-public-montessori/. Online condolences may be made at www.SheehanHilbornBreen.com