Jacqueline (Pollard) McDonough

Jacqueline McDonough of Wallkill, NY, passed away on April 11, 2025, peacefully, surrounded by her loving family. She was 50 years old.

The daughter of the late Jack and Jean Pollard, she was born August 5, 1974, in Brooklyn, New York.

Jacqueline graduated Magna Cum Laude from SUNY New Paltz where she obtained her bachelor’s degree in psychology and early childhood development.

Eager to begin her journey of helping others, she attended SUNY Albany’s Rockefeller School of Social Welfare, receiving her master’s in social work. Jacqueline completed the 64-credit program in only two years. She obtained her NY State Certification in Social Work shortly after graduation.

Jacqueline completed her internship at Occupations Inc., Squire Center Continuing Day Treatment Program and was offered a job following graduation. She continued working as an Intensive Outpatient Group and Individual Therapist at Occupations for the next several years.

Jacqueline then worked for the Wallkill Central School District as a home tutor where she provided an education and emotional support for young students who were unable to attend traditional school due to emotional and/or physical illness.

Jacquelines’ journey of helping others continued when she moved to South Carolina in 2010. She worked as a Behavioral Health Specialist at Stars Mentoring Services, LLC in Horry and Georgetown Counties, SC where she provided behavioral health services and family support services assisting children and their families in managing mental health issues.

Jacqueline always kept an upbeat and positive outlook. She fought hard since 2019, when she was diagnosed with Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP.)  She accepted the diagnosis head on and was often referred to by her friends as a “Warrior.”   She referred to herself as a turtle, which serves as a mascot for CIDP, representing patience, perseverance, and the slow and steady nature of recovery from the disorder.

With all of Jacqueline’s achievements and accolades she always considered her children, as her biggest blessings and joy in life.

Survivors include her loving children, whom she loved to the moon and back, daughter, Ciara McDonough of Conway, SC, and son John McDonough of Wallkill, NY., sisters Kathy Rugar of Wallkill, NY and Debbie Pollard and brother-in-law Mark Babin of Walden, NY. She was a special aunt to Mikey Rugar Jr., grandsons, Channing and Cyrus Davis, beloved family dogs, Sally, Mira, Luna, & Pepper, cousins, aunts, uncles, and many friends.

Along with her parents, she was predeceased by her stepdaughter Jamie McDonough and granddaughter Cianni Alii, grandparents Patrick and Catherine Nugent, grandmother Etta McLoughlin, brother-in-law Michael Rugar, and aunts & uncles.

Memorial visitation will take place Thursday, May 1, 2025, 4pm-7pm at Millspaugh Funeral Home, 22 Bank St., Walden, NY 12586.

A funeral mass will be held Friday, May 2, 2025, at 11am at St. Charles Borromeo Church, 2212 US-44, Gardiner, NY 12525.

Interment of ashes will follow at St. Charles Cemetery.

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