Jeannine Maria Schiavoni, a lifelong resident of Haverhill, died Sunday, June 17, 2012 at Massachusetts General Hospital after being stricken ill suddenly at her home.Born in New Brunswick, New Jersey, she was the daughter of the late, Atty. Theodore L. Schiavoni and Kathleen U. (Maluchnik). Raised and educated in Haverhill, she was a graduate of Sacred Hearts Grammar School and St. James High School. Continuing her education, she attended U Mass Lowell and Northern Essex Community College, receiving her degree in Early Childhood Education.A gifted artist and published poet, she won the Eagle Tribune Spring Poetry Contest three times. Her award winning poem, The River, was believed to be the longest published poems in newspaper history. She also contributed three of her original works of poetry to the Canadian Anthology, “Rhyme and Reason.” She was also invited to join the “Robert Frost Society,” and often shared her original poems at their meetings. Among her peers, she nurtured, respected, and appreciated their creative gifts. Jeannine was also an extremely talented songwriter and guitarist, sharing her love of folk music in local venues and music festivals. Jeannine possessed true humility in spite of her many accomplishments, and her stunning inspiration was felt by all who were blessed to be part of her life.Apart from her artistic and musical gifts, anyone who knew Jeannine had the privilege of being in the sweet presence of a sincere, loving, compassionate, and nurturing person. She also possessed a wonderful sense of humor that was uniquely her own. Throughout her years as a preschool teacher, her students, their parents, and her co-workers thought of Jeannine as a dear and trusted friend. Her family meant everything to her, and she could be found creating drawings and poetry for her daughters and grandchildren. She was highly regarded with affection as the “matriarch” of the family, planning gatherings and preparing lovely meals for family celebrations and holidays. Jeannine was always “just a phone call away..”She was employed as a teacher at the “Little Sprouts Education Centers” located in Haverhill. She formerly taught at the Lawrence YWCA preschool and served in their Domestic Violence Program providing her healing gift of “Art Therapy.” Her compassionate influence was felt by young and old.She leaves her loving partner and best friend of seventeen years, Stephen McAloon, of Haverhill, two beloved daughters, Kathleen M. Harrigan-Ross, of Amesbury, and Teresa J Harrigan of Derry, NH, three brothers, Ted Jr, of Grafton, MA, and Rick and John Schiavoni, both of Haverhill, a sister and brother in law, Laura and Dan Castine, also of Haverhill, cherished grandchildren, Jackie, Ashley, Miranda, Spencer, Alexander, Andrea, Julia, Joey and Logan, special aunt, Mary Lou Schiavoni, of Bradford, dear friend, Mary McCoon, of Haverhill, several nieces, nephews, and cousins, and her beloved (adj) dog Emily, all of whom will miss her dearly.Friends and family are respectfully invited to call on Friday, June 22, from 5 until 8 PM at the Kevin B. Comeau Funeral Home, 486 Main St. (Rte 125) Haverhill. Memorial Services will be held on Saturday morning at 11 AM in the funeral home. Burial will follow in the family lot at St. James Cemetery, Primrose St. Haverhill.
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