Jacqueline Rodriques-Smith

Jacqueline K. Rodrigues-Smith, was born on July 21, 1970, the second of three children, to Yvonne and James Rodrigues, at Lincoln Hospital Bronx, New York. Jackie received her formal education from elementary through high school through the Catholic School system. Jackie received her professional education from Wagner College where she earned her bachelor’s degree in science; York College where she earned credits to become a physical education teacher; and her graduate studies at Hofstra University, where she earned her Master’s of Science Degree in Education. Thereafter, she earned her Education Administrator’s Certificate from Long Island University. Jackie worked as a head bank teller at the North Fork Bank. In 1994 she accepted her calling to become a high school science teacher, and later the first female dean at East New York High School of Transit Technology. During her tenure at Transit Tech High School, she met her best friend and love of her life, Garfield Smith, whom she married on July 28, 2007. While serving at Transit Tech HS, Jackie became the girls’ track coach, Science Coordinator, and introduced a new course, forensic science to the school curriculum. In September of 2014, she transferred to William H. Maxwell CTE High School as a science teacher where she taught Advanced Placement Biology and Forensic Science. Jackie enjoyed traveling—especially to Guyana and Jamaica, WI—and taking many road trips with her husband Garfield. She truly loved and enjoyed family. Spending quality time with her parents, Yvonne and James Rodrigues, and mother and father in-law, Gloria and Lindsay Smith, was something Jackie treasured. Jackie valued educating and molding her students, entertaining and hosting parties and gatherings—for those who remembered July 4th, and 21st. She also loved working with her track team from both Transit Tech & Maxwell. Jackie treasured the times she spent with her niece Justine and her step-daughter Giani. Jackie was best known for her unconditional love of all children. She would buy them food, books, clothing, school equipment, sports equipment, provide shelter, and stay at work until 11PM, tirelessly giving of herself. Jackie is survived by her beloved husband, Garfield Smith and parents, Yvonne and James Rodrigues; siblings, Nigel and James Rodrigues Jr.; step-daughther, Giani Smith; nieces and nephews, Justine, Adonijah, Azarel, Genesis, Rhesa, Landon, Ledell; mother and father in-law, Gloria and Lindsay Smith; sister and brothers-in-law, Lavern, Victor and Leon Smith; cousins Alvin Lloyd, MD., Sgt. Trevor Rodrigues, Larry Gonzalez, Simone La Rose-Bennett, ShaundellDraugton, Sherry Best, Marilyn Ford, Brenda Thomas, the Edgehill’s; two God-children, Masin and Joshua; and a host of other family members; and her Transit Tech and Maxwell High School family. She was mother to many. In her own words, “Do not to argue because it was too many of you to mention, but I love you all.”

Jacqueline Rodriques-Smith

July 21, 1970 - March 3, 2016