Lucille Jordan Obituary

Lucille Anne Jordan, 75, of Jaffrey, passed away peacefully on December 17, 2024, in her home, with her family by her side. She was born in Amityville, New York on May 5, 1949, the daughter of Henry and Alvina (Stegeman) Koebler.

Lucille grew up on Long Island in Lindenhurst, New York. She was a member of the Lindenhurst High School class of 1967. She earned her undergraduate and graduate degrees in Education and English at The Ohio State University. Lucille also received honorary doctorate degrees from Granite State College (Doctor of Humane Letters – honoris causa), Keene State College (Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters) and Rivier University (Doctor of Humane Letters – honoris cause).

Before joining the New Hampshire Community Technical College (NHCTC) System Lucille taught middle school English in Dublin, Ohio and Manchester, Vermont. 

After serving teaching and administrative roles at the NHCTC Manchester campus, Lucille led Nashua Community College first as Interim President, then in 1997 as President in a tenure spanning almost 30 years.

She was selected to serve as the vice-chairman of the National Campus Compact Board, a membership of 645 college presidents. In addition President Jordan served as Vice Chair of Greater Nashua United Way, Chair of Greater Nashua United Way Youth Venture Partnership, Chair of New England Advisory Council of College Board, Member of the College Board National Community College Committee, represents community colleges nationally on the College Board Membership/Trustee Council, Chair of New England Community College Council, New Hampshire College and University Council, Board of NH Scholars, Executive Board of Greater Nashua Chamber, served 10 years on the NH Postsecondary Commission, and Board of Director of NH Women’s Leadership Institute. In addition, Lucille was selected for Who’s Who among Women Executives 1999.

As of December 2024, Lucille was still serving on the board for the United Way of Greater Nashua, a post she had held since 2002. She was also a member of the Greater Nashua Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, and a member of the Foundation for the New Hampshire Community Colleges Board of Directors.

Lucille received the 2000 LAANE award for Outstanding Support to Developmental Education by a College Administrator, the 2012 Advocate award in recognition of Outstanding Achievement from the United Way of Greater Nashua and was selected as one of the top 20 emerging Business Leaders in Nashua in 2012. In 2017, she received the Max I. Silber Community Service

Award from United Way and was the recipient of the New England Board of Higher Education’s award for Excellence in Higher Education for 2018, recognizing her leadership and commitment to service and the public good. She was also named among the Granite State’s 200 Most Influential Business Leaders in 2020.

In 2023 under her leadership, NCC was named Business of the Year by the Greater Nashua Chamber of Commerce, and the college also received the Inspiring Smiles Award in Early Education from the YMCA of Greater Nashua the same year.

Lucille is survived by her husband of 30 years, James O’Neill of Jaffrey; son Sean Jordan (daughter-in-law Lauren Jordan); grandson T.J. Jordan, granddaughter Ari Jordan; stepdaughters, Amy Menard and Kimberly Veness, and siblings Henry Koebler and Susan Malarsky. She was predeceased by her siblings Bruce Koebler and Louise Gilchrest.

Visiting hours will be held on Friday January 24, 2025, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Jellison Funeral Home, 25 Concord Street, Peterborough, NH. A memorial service will be held on Saturday January 25, 2025, at 11:00 AM at All Saints Episcopal Church, 51 Concord Street, Peterborough, NH 03458. Lucille will be laid to rest in the All Saints Episcopal Church communal burial ground at a later date. 

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to The Foundation for New Hampshire Community Colleges in memory of Lucille to support the Lucille Jordan Fund for NCC Students. Checks may be made payable to FNHCC and mailed to 26 College Drive, Concord, NH 03301. Donations can also be made electronically via the Foundation’s website at www.givenhcc.org Please email [email protected] with any questions.