Jacqueline S. Prior

Jacqueline Sexton Prior, 83, passed away peacefully with her daughter by her side on Thursday, May 8th, 2025. Jackie was the daughter of John Edward Sexton and Eleanor "Tinkie" O'Rourke Sexton. Born on October 15th, 1942, Jackie grew up alongside her sisters Tina and Amy. As a child, Jackie first attended Saint Raymond's Catholic school and later transferred to Gwynedd Mercy Academy. Jackie delighted in playing with her sisters, devoting hours to paper dolls, coloring, and singing in unison while doing the dishes after dinner. Academically, Jackie was very successful in school, but the nuns did not appreciate her chatty nature. She once got a D in self-control, which she later found quite humorous.
Jackie graduated from Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School in 1960, where she formed lifelong friendships. She remained close to her friends from her 7th-grade lunch table throughout her life. She graduated from Chestnut Hill College in 1964 and later went on to get a Master's in Psychology from Temple University. Jackie passionately loved to learn and once said that, next to her family and friends, books were her favorite things in life. She adored well-written novels and just about anything published in The New Yorker. She was also a person of great faith. She met with a spiritual director often, went on retreats, served as a lector and usher in church, and consumed anything written by James Martin and Richard Rohr. She believed that everything in life was spiritual.
Jackie's professional life was dedicated to serving others. She began her career as an elementary school teacher and later became a psychologist. She worked for PASS and Elwyn, two non-profit organizations that provided psychological services to Catholic schools. After obtaining additional training from Philadelphia Child Guidance, she worked in private practice at the GKSW Crystal Group in Wyndmoor, PA. While Jackie worked with a wide range of people, her primary focus was child psychology. She especially loved doing play therapy with kids.
Jackie's two most important roles in life were those of wife and mother. She married the love of her life, Thomas Prior, in 1966. During their 59 years of marriage, they raised two children, many cats, and one white, fuzzy dog named Rosie. Jackie and Tom shared a strong commitment to faith and family and loved traveling and spending time with friends. In her free time, Jackie played golf and bridge. She was a fantastic cook and excelled at making pies and sauces. She was also a talented knitter and often made beautiful sweaters.
Jackie was devastated when her husband Tom passed just eight weeks ago on March 9th, 2025. Her children take comfort in knowing that Jackie is now with Tom in heaven, where he is happily referring to her as his bride. Jackie is survived by her children, whom she loved deeply: David Prior (Karen) and Jenny Prior Schlegel (Mark). Jackie was an incredible grandmother who delighted in knowing her grandchildren. Cooper Schlegel, Jack Schlegel, Will Schlegel, and Katie Prior. They will all miss her dearly. She will also be greatly missed by her dog Rosie.
Jackie's family is very grateful to the loving and dedicated staff at The Mansion at Rosemont and Rosewood Gardens for the care and support they provided to Tom and Jackie over the past few years.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:30 on Friday, May 16th, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Malvern, PA. Friends and relatives are invited to visit with Jackie's family from 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM and then to join in her celebration of life at 11:30 AM. Burial to follow at Calvary Cemetery in Conshohocken.