Dr. Jacqueline A. Zubeck of Nyack, New York, and Westport, Massachusetts, passed away Sunday, March 14, 2021.  The wife of Warren K. Barker, she died at home in Westport where she had carefully watched the oncoming march of spring, hoping those bluebirds would move back into the willow tree.

At the time of her death Dr. Zubeck held the tenured position of Associate Professor of English at The College of Mount Saint Vincent in the Bronx. A published author and literary scholar, her passion for the works of Flannery O’Connor and Don DeLillo produced papers, conferences, and courses for the benefit of scholars and students alike. Passion infused with a relentless curiosity drove her approach to teaching; a fine layer of chalk on her shoulders at class end manifested her innate desire to instill the same in the minds of her students.

Born in 1953 in Tucson, Arizona, the daughter of the late Richard K. Zubeck and Joan Zubeck of Florida, her childhood was spent in her parents’ native New Jersey. Her father’s jazz collection and an early stint as a drummer in the school band provided the tempo for a lifelong love of music. Thwarted in many pursuits as a young woman and betrayed in marriage, she sought refuge and spiritual comfort at the Russian Orthodox Convent, Novo Diveevo, in Nanuet, New York. Now “Nina” in the Russian and Nyack communities and a loving and energetic aunt within the O’Donoghue family of Nyack, she still saw in education the key to her independence.

Jackie/Nina’s life informed her teaching.  Who better to emphasize the value of education than someone who works for her BA at thirty seven and a PhD at forty five? Who better to introduce Dostoevsky than someone who taught herself the Russian language and immersed herself in Russian culture? Who better to study the immigrant experience than someone who wins a Fulbright to study her own? Who better to emphasize the value of craft, culturally, spiritually, and physically, than someone who pursues it from all angles and marries a craftsman?  Jackie Zubeck knew the pursuit could be made fun and inspired kids from two to twenty two to walk, talk, draw, and write. Blessed with an eternally inquiring mind she wanted to know of you, of yours, and take you all along on the inquiry. She loved and was loved for it, a lesson for us all.

She is survived by Warren’s children, Wylie and Lily Barker, and step-children, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Her Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, March 25, at 11 am in the Russian Orthodox Convent, 100 Smith Road, Nanuet, NY 10954 followed by burial in the Russian Orthodox Cemetery. Contributions in her honor may be made to the Jacqueline A. Zubeck Scholarship Fund, The College of Mount Saint Vincent, 6301 Riverdale Ave, Bronx, NY 10471.

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