Jean Margerette Jackson, 83, passed away on Friday, November 9, 2012. Jean was born on January 21, 1929 in Chicago, Illinois to Alfred and Netta (Purcell) Schmidt. She grew up in Sarasota, Florida and graduated from Sarasota High School in 1947.
Jean married James Lambert Jackson in Sarasota, FL (1958). She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Bruce (1968), her husband Jim (1973), and sons James Butler Jackson (2005) and Lee Raymond Jackson (2007).
Jean worked as an accountant in the plumbing industry after her husband's passing, and then for over fifteen years in the US Post Office supporting her sons both at home and into college.
She retired in 1994, moving the next year to Beloit, Kansas where her son Mark and daughter-in-law Vicki reside. Jean said that Beloit reminded her of Sarasota in years long past.
Jean was active in church throughout her life; at the Shrine of the Master (in both Sarasota and Tampa, FL) and in the Presbyterian Church of Beloit. A daughter of a national union leader, Jean was a union member and a proud lifelong Democrat.
She enjoyed traveling, visiting Europe several times as well many trips in the states. Jean loved the outdoors and all things growing as well the pets she had over the years. She was a proud member of the Beloit Garden club.
Jean is survived by three sons and two daughters-in-law, Paul Alfred and Kristina Maliga Jackson of Seattle, WA; Mark Andrew and Vicki Jackson of Beloit, KS; and Gary Lambert Jackson of Tampa, FL.
Her life is also being celebrated by her grandchildren Melissa, Morgan, RJ, and Ryan Jackson, Leisa Jackson, Jeremiah, Jessica, and Danielle Jackson; niece Gayle O’Carroll and lifelong friend Martha “Boots” Pickover.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend her memorial service on Friday, November 16, at 1:00 at the Presbyterian Church in Beloit, Kansas; a celebration of Jean and a life well lived. Memorials in her name may be made to the Post Rock Humane Society.