Jacqueline Holmes Haley

Jacqueline Holmes Haley, of Weymouth, passed away peacefully at home with her family by her side on August 3, 2025 after a long struggle with metastatic ovarian cancer. Born the youngest of 7 siblings to Mel and Clare Holmes, Jackie grew up in Ridgewood, New Jersey. She attended The University of Denver, where she studied English and graduated in 1983.

Jackie continued on to Suffolk University Law School in Boston, where she met her loving husband of nearly 40 years, Paul R. Haley. She wrote for the Transnational Law Journal and graduated with honors in 1986. Jackie and Paul married shortly after graduation. Jackie entered private practice with Roche, Carens, and DeGiacomo, P.C., where she was a stalwart in the litigation department for 13 years, eventually making partner. She served as lead attorney on large lender liability cases and many complex product liability actions. Her partners remember her as an incredibly bright and skilled attorney with a wonderful sense of humor. After taking some time at home to raise three children, Jackie made the decision in the early 2000s to pursue a true life passion of teaching. She was a devoted teacher of English at Weymouth High School while earning her Masters degree in Teaching from Bridgewater State University. Jackie enjoyed improving the writing skills of her upperclassmen students preparing them for college. Jackie remained on the faculty in Weymouth until her cancer diagnosis precluded her ability to continue. Her colleagues in the English department asserted that her absence was keenly felt and that her kindness, generosity and wisdom would be missed forever.

Giving back was central to Jackie’s character. She was a longstanding member of the Board of Directors of South Shore Hospital, and served as chair from 1997 to 2006, the first woman to do so. She volunteered for the St. Boniface Haiti Foundation, connecting the foundation with resources, and giving her time to their hospital in Haiti for many years. She also taught CCD at St. Francis Xavier Church in Weymouth. Jackie was also passionate about civic engagement and contributed in many ways to a variety of causes, from aid drives to voter registration.

Jackie was a voracious reader and left behind a wide-reaching collection of thoroughly annotated books. She was particularly interested in text that helped her expand her capacity for empathy, and she was passionate about educating herself on the experiences of others. She embraced the practice of daily meditation, and pursued philosophies surrounding acceptance and harmony with the world around us. Her shared wisdom from her reading was deeply appreciated and valued, especially by her children and husband.

Jackie loved curating and tending to her flower and herb garden in her backyard. She was active and enjoyed long walks around Weymouth with her dogs Scotty, Lily, and Phyllis, as well as regular practice of yoga. Jackie also cherished spending time with her family on Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire, admiring the beauty of the surrounding mountains and local wildlife during sunset cruises on the family boat. Most of all, Jackie cherished being a mom, wife, sister, and friend. She always made herself available to support those she loved. Anyone who knew Jackie experienced a true sense of her whole being - kind, witty, brilliant, and creative. She inspired us all by the way she lived, and she will be so deeply missed by those who knew her.

She was the beloved wife of former state representative Paul R. Haley; Loving mother of LT Michael P. Haley, USN and his wife Cynthia, of Santa Monica, CA; Christopher Haley of Somerville, MA; and Erin Haley of New York City. Loving sister of Clare Newbrand of Wake Forest, NC; Karen Jensen of Needham; Joan Obecny of Roscoe, NY; Cathy Holmes of Vienna, VA; Donald Holmes of Fairplay, CO, and the late Patricia Clark of Hyannisport. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Jackie’s family would like to extend their deepest thanks to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, especially Dr. Ursula Matulonis and her Oncology team and the nurses who took such good care of Jackie for so many years. Additionally, the family is enormously indebted to the nursing staff with Beacon Hospice Care of Plymouth, who provided immeasurable support and eased Jackie’s progression with such grace and reverence.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to greet the family during the visiting hours on Thursday 8/7/2025 from 4-8 PM in the McDonald Keohane Funeral Home SOUTH WEYMOUTH at 809 Main Street (Rte 18 opp. So. Shore Hospital). The funeral mass will be held at Saint Paul's Catholic Church, 29 Mt. Auburn St., Harvard Square, Cambridge, on Friday 8/8/2025 at 10 AM. Internment will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Jackie may be made to the Saint Paul's Choir School, 29 Mt. Auburn Street Cambridge, MA 02138. See www.Keohane.com for directions and online condolences.