Obituary of Mary Moore Jackson

JACKSON, Mary

(nee Marlin)

Mary, late of Cabri, SK, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 15, 2020 after a brief illness, at the Regina General Hospital. Predeceased by her parents George and Ethel, brothers Howard and Ross, sister Muriel, her parents-in-law Doug and Geneva and many other extended family members. Mary is survived by her husband Bob of 51 years, daughters Marlene (Paul), Donna (Dave) and son Douglas (Rona). She deeply loved her four grandchildren and will be missed by each of them: grandsons Kyle, Benjamin, Reed and her favourite granddaughter, Elise.

Mary was born in 1940 in the “house on the hill” on the family farm in Hemmingford, Quebec - child number five in a family of seven. She attended Hemmingford High School, where a highlight of her school days was travelling to New York City in Grade 11 and seeing the Rockettes at Radio City Hall. We grew up hearing stories of her driving the tractor (age 3?), making maple syrup, milking the cows and harvesting hay and corn.

Her life changed dramatically when she married Bob in 1968 and moved to Cabri to join him on their farm. They worked side by side for 51 years: never a farm wife, always a farmer. Marlene was born in 1970, and Donna and Douglas followed a year and five days later. Not knowing she was carrying twins, only to find out when the doctor announced there would be a second baby, must have been the shock of her life. Dad clearly remembers her response: “You’ve GOT to be kidding!!” She never liked surprises, so we can only imagine how shocking this must have been.

Mary was very active in the United Church and was the church treasurer for many, many, many years. She arranged the luncheons for all the funerals. We had tried to get mom to have a succession plan, but she was not ready to relinquish those roles.

The job she took the most pride in was her career with Canada Post, which she began after the kids left home and spanned 22 years. She enjoyed visiting with people as they collected their mail.

Mary loved to play cards and board games. An avid bridge player, she loved to bring a group together for a rubber or two (or more). She was a determined woman and stubborn to a fault: indomitable, so strong, so fun and so in charge. Mary loved entertaining, was a wonderful cook and especially enjoyed company from down home. She enjoyed many trips in her later years with family and friends. Mary had a larger than life personality and our family has lost a big part of its spark now that she is gone.

Her illness (acute pancreatitis) was brief and we take pride that we were able to follow her wishes to be treated aggressively, but also that we were able to give her a natural death that was pain free and peaceful. We are grateful that she had talked about her advanced care directive with dad prior which made the decisions we were faced to make much easier. If you’d like to do something to honour mom, please have conversations with your family about what you would want - this is the greatest gift you can give them to help ensure that they will be your voice when you are no longer able.

Rest easy mom. We love you. We miss you. Your legacy lives on through your kids and grandkids. We promise we will look after Dad.

A celebration of her life will be held at a later date.