Jackie Steck, who worked at Temple for 45 years as a journalism professor, died April 29 of a hemorrhagic stroke.

“Jackie Steck was a consummate teacher,” Howard Shapiro, Philadelphia Inquirer travel editor and theater critic, told the Inquirer in a May 3 story about Steck. “She praised you with a huge smile, and chided you with the same smile. She was a fabulous listener, and taught me to be a good listener as a reporter. She looked you straight in the eye and encouraged you to keep going just with the slightest cock of her head.”

Steck graduated in 1939 from Notre Dame Academy, then on Rittenhouse Square, before earning a bachelor’s degree in journalism in 1944 and a master’s degree in history in 1947, both from Temple.

She began teaching journalism while an undergraduate during World War II, and over the course of her career taught newswriting, journalism history, short-story fiction and other courses. She also was an advisor to The Temple News.

“I am continually amazed at the number of professionals who equate Temple’s journalism program with Jackie Steck,” journalism Professor Thomas Eveslage said at her retirement celebration in 1989. He estimated 8,000 students had taken her classes during her 45-year teaching career.

After retiring, according to the Inquirer, Steck pursued her love of music, leading choral groups at churches of several denominations.

She lived in Riddle Village in Media, Pa., and is survived by her sister, nephews and niece.

Based on a story for The Philadelphia Inquirer by Gayle Ronan Sims.