Jacqulyn “Jacki” Polito Espinosa, 69, of Henderson, Nevada, passed away on September 27, 2025, surrounded by love.

Jacki was born on December 30, 1955, in Cook County, Illinois, to Faye and Frank Polito. She grew up in Chicago, where she developed the strength, compassion, and warmth that would define her life. In her late teens and early adulthood, she relocated to Los Angeles County with her parents and brother, beginning a new chapter that shaped both her personal and professional journey.

In 1980, Jacki married Efren Espinosa, with whom she shared a devoted and enduring partnership. Their marriage was one of deep love, mutual respect, and unwavering commitment, lasting more than four decades.

Jacki pursued her education with dedication and purpose, reflecting her lifelong desire to help and serve others. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in May 2006 from Chapman University, followed by a Master of Science in Professional Counseling in December 2009 from California Baptist University. She later returned to Chapman University, where she completed a Master of Arts in Special Education, along with an English Teaching Credential and Autism Spectrum Disorder Certification, in May 2012.

Her professional life reflected a deep and consistent commitment to education, counseling, and the care of vulnerable populations. From September 2008 to June 2009, Jacki served as a Fifth Grade Teacher at St. Jude’s Catholic School in San Jacinto, California, where she taught multiple subjects and was known for her patience, structure, and genuine care for her students.

In 2010, she worked with the Family Services Association in Moreno Valley, California, providing counseling to seniors, adoptive children, foster youth, County Mental Health clients, and private-pay clients. She later served as a Case Manager with Children’s Therapeutic Communities in Riverside, California, working with male probation minors in a group home setting. There, she provided individual and group counseling, coordinated with families, schools, and probation officers, supervised staff, and managed crises with calm professionalism.

Beginning in July 2014, Jacki continued her calling with the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools in Ontario, California, where she served as a Clinical Counselor at a County Special Day School. She supported students with emotional and intellectual disabilities through counseling, crisis intervention, assessments, and participation in Individualized Education Programs. Her work was marked by empathy, patience, and unwavering advocacy for her students.

While Jacki took pride in her professional accomplishments, she found her greatest fulfillment as a homemaker by desire. She expressed her love most clearly through care and creativity—baking for those she loved, preparing extravagant home-cooked dinners for every holiday and special occasion, and making each gathering feel meaningful and complete. She was also a devoted and imaginative mother, lovingly hand-crafting costumes for her son throughout his elementary school years, a tradition she would have happily continued had she been allowed.

She was a devoted mother to her son, Vincent Espinosa, and a proud, loving grandmother to Madelline Charlie Espinosa, who brought her immeasurable joy. She is also survived by her brother, James Polito.

Jacki will be remembered for her quiet strength, generous heart, and the way she made others feel deeply cared for. Her legacy lives on through the lives she touched, the family she cherished, and the love she gave so freely.

In accordance with Jacki’s wishes, no services will be held at this time.