Obituary of Jacqueline Langan Coley

As the Social Notebook columnist in the Post-Standard for 22 years, Jackie covered fundraisers for the community's cultural, medical, educational and humanitarian organizations, liberally weaving supporters' names throughout her stories in bold type. A native Syracusan and graduate of Most Holy Rosary School, she attended Syracuse University before enlisting in the U.S. Coast Guard Women's Reserve (SPARS) toward the end of World War II. She was attached to Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, D.C. and achieved the rank of Yeoman Third Class. A graduate of Berkeley School in New York City, she became a legal secretary for Martin, Langan & Dorsey and later worked at the former Flack Advertising Agency. Active in fashion during the 1950s and 60s, she wrote and voiced radio commercials for McDonald's Dress Shop. She also produced and commented at their fashion shows at area clubs and churches. She did live television commercials and modeled for Flah's for many years, also modeling for the Post-Standard fall and spring shows at the War Memorial. In the early 1970s, she taught a European-style social graces program called "White Gloves and Party Manners" at Flah's, reaching girls ages 5 through 12. In 1979, she organized the "Backstage Backers" at Fayetteville-Manlius High School, a parents group for students interested in the performing arts. Always interested in theater, she helped build Shattuck-Nye Productions as publicist, a popular theater group in the 1980s specializing in comedies and musicals. A communicant of Immaculate Conception Church in Fayetteville, a former member of Bellevue Country Club and a lifetime member of Onondaga Country Club, Jackie had life memberships to Crouse Irving Memorial Auxiliary, St. Joseph's Hospital Auxiliary, and Syracuse Symphony Orchestra. She was honored for her work as a columnist promoting community charitable organizations by The Multiple Sclerosis Society, Project Children, Onondaga County Medical Society Auxiliary, Syracuse Stage, Catholic Charities, Syracuse Symphony, North Area Athletic and Education Center, Loretto of Central New York and the CNY Community Foundation. In 1996, she was honored by Syracuse Opera in a gala held at the Hotel Syracuse Grand Ballroom, raising $40, 000 for Syracuse Opera. In 2009, she was "Gael of The Year" at the Syracuse St. Patrick's Day Parade. She was predeceased by her husband, Daniel E. Coley in 1982, and her brothers, Arthur and Anthony Langan. She is survived by her three children, Melissa Coley (Jay Rutter) of Madison, New Jersey, Daniel E. Coley, Jr. of Manlius, and Caroline Stanistreet (Daniel) of Camillus, five grandchildren, Elizabeth and Sean Stanistreet, Jack Rutter, and Wil and Evan Coley, as well as many nieces and nephews. Jackie was named after her first cousin, Jackie Coogan, child star and Syracuse native. They remained very close throughout their lives. Glamorous, gracious, and gregarious, Jackie left an indelible impression on everyone she encountered. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, August 13, 2014 at 10am at the Immaculate Conception Church, Fayetteville, NY. Calling hours will be held Tuesday from 4 to 7pm at the church. Burial will be St. Mary's Cemetery, Dewitt. To see a video of Jackie scroll down bellow and click the link or copy this link and paste it in your browser: http://videos.syracuse.com/post-standard/2008/09/jackie_coley.html Jackie had many favorite charities she covered throughout the years as a columnist. Contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to the following charities, or any charity of your choice: Alzheimer's Foundation; 441 West Kirkpatrick Street, Syracuse, NY 13204 Carol M. Baldwin Breast Cancer Foundation; PO Box 187, Warners, New York 13164: http://findacurecny.org/ Catholic Charities: 1654 West Onondaga Street, Syracuse, NY 13204 Consortium For Children's Services: 2122 Erie Blvd E., Syracuse, NY 13224 Crouse Hospital Auxiliary: 736 Irving Ave., Syracuse, NY 13210 Francis House: 108 Michaels Ave., Syracuse, NY 13208 Hospice of CNY: 990 7th N. St., Liverpool, NY 13088 The Carrie Lazarus Fund for Extraordinary Talent c/o The Community Foundation of Central New York: 431 East Fayette, Street Suite 100, Syracuse, NY 13202 Loretto of Central New York: 1305 Nottingham Rd., Jamesville, NY 13078 Multiple Sclerosis Society: 6743 Kinne St., East Syracuse, NY 13057 North Area Athletic and Education Center: 507 Pond St., Syracuse, NY 13208 Onondaga County Medical Society Auxiliary: 401 N Salina St., Syracuse, NY 13203 Project Children: http://www.projectchildrensyracuse.org/ Salt City Center for the Performing Arts: c/o Pat Lotitio 120 Scottholm Ave., Syracuse NY 13210 St. Camillus Health and Rehabilitation Center: 813 Fay Road, Syracuse, NY 13219 St. Joseph's Hospital Auxiliary: 301 Prospect Ave., Syracuse, NY 13203 Symphoria (Formerly the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra): P.O. Box 1161, Syracuse, NY 13201 Syracuse Opera Company: 411 Montgomery St., Syracuse, NY 13202 Syracuse Stage: 820 E. Genesee St., Syracuse, NY 13210 Vera House; 6181 Thompson Road, Suite 100, Syracuse, NY 13206 Wounded Warrior Project; PO BOX 758517, Topeka, KS 66675