Jacqueline Steven

Jacqueline A. Steven - It is with sadness that the family of Jacqueline Augustine Steven announced her passing on January 14, 2025, at the age of 93. 

Jackie was born March 23, 1931, in Port Chester, NY to John Mavon and Marie (Gast) Mavon, who emigrated from Audincourt, France and arrived at Ellis Island aboard the S.S. Paris on October 11, 1927. The second of four children, Jackie grew up in the Glenville neighborhood of Greenwich, CT. She graduated from Greenwich High School on June 24, 1949, and went to work for the New York Telephone Company in Manhattan, where she was a switchboard operator and later a draftsperson. While commuting to work, she met fellow phone company employee William James Reilly, of New Rochelle, NY. The two were wed May 25,1957 in Greenwich and enjoyed a beautiful reception at the former Pickwick Arms Hotel.

Jackie and Bill moved to White Plains, NY where they raised three children, William John, Suzanne Marie and Jacqueline Anne. As a member of St. Bernards Church, Jackie enjoyed volunteering in the parish elementary school and spending summers in Sag Harbor, NY where she taught her children to swim and enjoyed life together on the water. Jackie loved hosting family gatherings at home and her extended family could frequently be found picnicking at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation or the Byram Shore. Jackie and Bill divorced in 1980 but remained close friends and together delighted in watching with pride as their children and grandchildren thrived.

After raising her children, Jackie began a new career as a bookkeeper, eventually retiring from Walden Books in Stamford, CT in 1996. Later, in a chance encounter at bridge class, Jackie met widower James Ross Steven, a fellow resident of White Plains and retired professor of Civil Engineering from C.C.N.Y. On November 18, 1990, the two were wed in a lovely ceremony surrounded by family and friends at home in White Plains. Jackie and Jim shared a love of travel, leisurely Sunday drives, watching Jeopardy and growing tomatoes in their garden. Jackie continued her volunteer work at St. Pious X church in Scarsdale, NY in their religious education program. She loved to bake cookies for the parish office and always brought an abundance to family gatherings.

Jackie was preceded in death by her parents John and Marie Mavon, husband James Steven, sister Germaine Erickson, and brother John Mavon. She is survived by her sister Regina Lanuk, son William Reilly of White Plains, NY (Mari), daughters Suzanne McGannon of Forest, VA and Jacqueline Duke of Ridgefield, CT (Michael), grandchildren Lena, Emmie and Kent Reilly, Sean McGannon, Brian and Kyle Duke, great grandson William McGannon, stepchildren Julie Everett (Mark) of Valhalla, NY and James Steven (Janet) of Lynbrook, NY and many nieces and nephews.

Gifts in her memory may be given to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org.