Jill (Brenda Jean) Jackson passed away at Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops, B.C. on March 4, 2003 after a difficult battle with kidney failure and other health problems.
She was born in Truro, Nova Scotia on September 28, 1951 and moved to B.C. with her parents when she was just an infant.
She spent her youth growing up in the Cariboo-Chilcotin area and married Mike Jackson in 1969 in Williams Lake.
In 1970 they had a daughter, Tracey and, in 1973, a son, Glen.
The family was raised in Chimney Lake and Williams Lake and were always surrounded by a large extended family.
The many happy memories of skiing, swimming and huge birthday barbecues will be cherished by all.
Jill was the ever-busy mom making sure all who came to her house were comfortable and well fed.
In the early 1990s Jill’s health started to fail and in 1995 she lost her son, Glen to medical complications.
Her heart was heavy from that day on, as anyone who has experienced the loss of a child can understand.
In 1997 Jill moved to Kamloops to be closer to her daughter, Tracey, and what she called the greatest gifts of her life, her grandchildren.
Katie was born in 1998, and Christian was born in 2001. Both will miss their “Gramma” who always made them special homemade cards and played “peek-a-boo.”
She was the type of grandma who seemed to enjoy the mess they made of her apartment after a visit.
Jill was diagnosed with kidney failure in 2000 and in her remaining years, she fought to surround herself with the people and things she loved the most.
She will be always remembered for her loyalty, patience, and “puttering” as she used to call it, whether it referred to cooking in the kitchen, cleaning around the home, decorating, redecorating, doing crafts, or what have you.
Jill will be mourned by many, including her daughter Tracey Wingerak (Troy), her grandchildren Katie and Christian Wingerak, her sisters Judy Ratch (Ken), Helen Schiller (Ken Sanford), Lynne Lynds (Ron), her brothers Bruce Lewis (Darlene), Ron Lewis and her many nieces, nephews, family members and friends both in Williams Lake and Kamloops.
Jill was predeceased by her father Trevoy Lewis in 1986, mother Phyllis Lewis in 2001, sister Joan Blades in 1992 and son Glen Jackson in 1995.
We take comfort in knowing that she is at peace with them all now.
Many thanks go out to the care provided by the nurses at the Renal Unit, Royal Inland Hospital and community care workers.
Special thanks to the friends in her apartment building who always “kept an eye out for her” and made it possible for her to live in her own apartment as her health was failing.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, March 11, 2003 at the St. Andrew’s United Church in Williams Lake. Call 398-6745.
Rev. Juanita Austin will be presiding. Interment will be at the Williams Lake Cemetery and the reception will follow at the United Church.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the renal unit at Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops in Jill’s memory.