Jeanne Marie Hunciker

Jeanne Marie Hunciker, daughter of the late Beatrice (Monaghan) and William Hunciker, died on January 19, 2015, at Seabury in Bloomfield. Born in Hartford, she lived there until moving to Bloomfield in 1969. She attended Mount Saint Joseph Academy in West Hartford, received her Bachelor's Degree from Saint Joseph College, her Master's Degree from Trinity College, and her Administrative Certification from the University of Hartford. Beginning her career in education, she taught at Bacon Academy until 1950, when she was appointed to the History Department at Hartford Public High School. In 1972 she was administratively transferred to become District Social Studies Chairperson for Hartford Public High and Quirk Middle school. In 1980 she was appointed High School Social Studies Chairperson for the three high schools in Hartford. She participated in numerous professional and civic organizations, holding leadership positions in many. While teaching in Colchester, she served as President of the Colchester District Teachers' Association and Secretary for the New London County Council of the Connecticut Education Club, an executive board member of the American Bicentennial Commission in Hartford, and member and chairperson of the Mercyknoll Board of Trustees. She also was a member of the Mercyknoll Auxiliary and co-chaired two large fundraising "musicales" for Mercyknoll at the Hartford Hilton. Especially interested in promoting economic literacy in the schools, she served on a Board of Trustees for both the Connecticut Council on Economic Education and the national Joint Council on Economic Education as well as chairperson of the Greater Hartford Council on Economic Education. For her work in the field of economic education she received the Valley Forge Class Room Teach Award, the Greater Hartford Council on Economic Education Merit Award, and the Paul W. Coons Award for Outstanding Certifications to Economic Education and was recognized in Who's Who of American Women during this time. Her interest in history was reflected in her serving as Director, Treasurer and President of the Wintonbury Historical Society in Bloomfield over many years, participating in most of its fundraising events. Following her retirement in 1985, she served as board member of both the Tunxis Garden Club of Farmington and the Women's Auxiliary of the Salvation Army. A member of the Bloomfield Dream Festival Committee, Legislative Chairperson for the Hartford County Retired Teachers, and President of the Friends of the Bloomfield Library board. Calling hours will be held on Friday, January 23, from 3-5 p.m.at Sacred Heart Church, 26 Wintonbury Ave., Bloomfield, with Molloy Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. There will be a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, January 24, at Sacred Heart Church, Bloomfield. Please go directly to the church. Burial will take place in the spring. Memorial contributions may be made to Saint Joseph College, 1678 Asylum Ave., West Hartford, CT 06117 or the WIntonbury Historical Society, PO Box 7454, Bloomfield, CT 06002.