Isabel Louise Jackson
October 7th, 1932 - January 2nd, 2025
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Isabel's Obituary
Isabel Brady Jackson was born on October 7, 1932 in Spearfish, SD, and died on January 2, 2025 in St. Joseph, MI. She was preceded in death by her husband of nearly 54 years Gordon B. Jackson, and by her brother David Brady. She is survived by her brother William Brady (Beverly), her 5 children, Walter Jackson (Martha Curtis), Bruce Jackson, Marian Jackson Barnes (Christopher), Margaret Jackson Clark (Steven Brown), and Glenn Jackson (Kimberly), grandchildren Erin, Jason, Stephen, Elizabeth, Eliana, Ian, Andy and Kayla, and several great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews.
The daughter of a preacher, Isabel and her two brothers grew up in various communities in Michigan where their father served. Their mother Margaret died in 1939; later their father married Lena Forster who bravely took on mothering 3 grieving children. Isabel graduated from Eastern Michigan University (then Michigan State Normal College) in Ypsilanti, MI with a degree in Music Education. At Ypsi she met her partner in life and music, Gordon; they married in 1955. For most of their marriage they made their home in Port Jefferson, NY, where they were both involved in musical pursuits and church work, as well as keeping their 5 children fed, learning, and busy. In 1990, they moved and made St. Joseph their home for the rest of their lives.
Isabel was an accomplished pianist, organist and poet, and dabbled in all sorts of creative pursuits. In St. Joseph, she helped to found the ArtsBridge series, an effort to bring the community together through shared music and art. She was active in Writer’s Groups at the Box Factory, a supporter of the Krasl Art Museum, and a faithful participant in exercise classes. She continued to practice with her string trio as recently as this past fall. Her church home was First Presbyterian Church of Benton Harbor, where she filled in at the organ on occasion and served in various ways. Her church family provided companionship, support and enrichment for many years.
Isabel’s last New Year’s blessing, composed in 2022, reads:
“Let there be light!
May your life be rich, fulfilling, joyous, sun-filled, with just enough rain,
enough clouds to let you appreciate blue sky,
small and large satisfactions, proud to be you, cared for, loved, loving, sensitive,
sensing humor in life’s exigencies, alert to the pregnant turn of phrase,
ever-ready to examine new views, to live creatively, to cultivate a light heart
that you may be enlightened!”
In addition to her poetry, Isabel leaves a legacy of music, having taught piano lessons to many students, accompanied Gordon on trombone in numerous performances, and gifting her harpsichord to First Presbyterian Church of Benton Harbor and her grand piano to Festival Hall in Greensboro, GA, where daughter Margaret lives.
A memorial service will be held on January 18 at 11 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Benton Harbor, 475 Green Ave. The family requests memorial gifts be made to First Presbyterian Church of Benton Harbor.
The daughter of a preacher, Isabel and her two brothers grew up in various communities in Michigan where their father served. Their mother Margaret died in 1939; later their father married Lena Forster who bravely took on mothering 3 grieving children. Isabel graduated from Eastern Michigan University (then Michigan State Normal College) in Ypsilanti, MI with a degree in Music Education. At Ypsi she met her partner in life and music, Gordon; they married in 1955. For most of their marriage they made their home in Port Jefferson, NY, where they were both involved in musical pursuits and church work, as well as keeping their 5 children fed, learning, and busy. In 1990, they moved and made St. Joseph their home for the rest of their lives.
Isabel was an accomplished pianist, organist and poet, and dabbled in all sorts of creative pursuits. In St. Joseph, she helped to found the ArtsBridge series, an effort to bring the community together through shared music and art. She was active in Writer’s Groups at the Box Factory, a supporter of the Krasl Art Museum, and a faithful participant in exercise classes. She continued to practice with her string trio as recently as this past fall. Her church home was First Presbyterian Church of Benton Harbor, where she filled in at the organ on occasion and served in various ways. Her church family provided companionship, support and enrichment for many years.
Isabel’s last New Year’s blessing, composed in 2022, reads:
“Let there be light!
May your life be rich, fulfilling, joyous, sun-filled, with just enough rain,
enough clouds to let you appreciate blue sky,
small and large satisfactions, proud to be you, cared for, loved, loving, sensitive,
sensing humor in life’s exigencies, alert to the pregnant turn of phrase,
ever-ready to examine new views, to live creatively, to cultivate a light heart
that you may be enlightened!”
In addition to her poetry, Isabel leaves a legacy of music, having taught piano lessons to many students, accompanied Gordon on trombone in numerous performances, and gifting her harpsichord to First Presbyterian Church of Benton Harbor and her grand piano to Festival Hall in Greensboro, GA, where daughter Margaret lives.
A memorial service will be held on January 18 at 11 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Benton Harbor, 475 Green Ave. The family requests memorial gifts be made to First Presbyterian Church of Benton Harbor.
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