The world and Amherst specifically lost
a lovely person when Isabel Cecelia
Jackson passed away on Thursday, March 3, 2022 at CRHCC
after a quick slip into poor health. She was with her three children
Karen, Ron, and Ken right up until the end.
Born in Port Elgin, New Brunswick on
March 25, 1928, she was the daughter of the late Fidele and Bella
(Fagan) Landry.
After graduating from high school Isabel
attended Teacher’s College in Fredericton. She spent her
first year as a teacher in a one room schoolhouse just outside of Port
Elgin. She then taught in Sackville, NB for 5 years before getting
married and settling in Amherst where she continued teaching, before
starting a family. In 1966 she returned to teaching at St. Charles
school where she was lovingly called the “honorary sister”
as the only non-Nun teacher. Her teaching career continued at Acadia
Street School when primary became part of the public school
system.
“Mrs. Jackson,” as she was
always referred to by her former students was a highly respected
primary school teacher for 30 years in the Amherst school system. She
always maintained a relationship with her “kids” after they
moved on and went on to teach many of their children. Isabel was
considered by many as the ideal type of teacher for young children,
kind, patient but sincerely caring for the children in her classes.
She was especially aware of kid’s home lives and their needs
and made sure that every child felt special…even before
this was considered an innovative idea. She also served as an honorary
“principal” as she had strong organizational mindset as
well.
Isabel was an active member of St.
Charles Parish and later its successor Holy Family Parish. She taught
Sunday School, served as a Eucharistic Minister and was a member of
the Parish Council for several years. She was actively involved with
the St. Vincent de Paul Society and served a term as Nova Scotia
President and Regional Representative of Atlantic Canada. It was in
this role that she was selected to attend the beatification of the
Society’s founder at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, a
service presided over by Pope John Paul II. Isabel was also
a member of the CWL for over 65 years and was awarded the Maple Leaf
Service Award Pin. For her years of dedicated service to the Parish
she was awarded the Diocesan Medal of Merit.
Isabel’s focus was squarely on
her community at large. She was instrumental in founding the Amherst
Food Assistance Network Association as well as a pre-school program at
Heartz Hall many years ago. She was also involved with the Arthritis
Society and United Way for many years. For her work in the community,
she was named Amherst’s Volunteer of the Year in 1997, an
award she accepted with great humility.
Isabel was one of those kind-hearted,
loving people who had a positive influence on just about everyone she
knew. From her own children and grandchildren to whom she provided
unconditional love and support; to her years as a respected primary
school teacher; to her work in the community and her church; and her
weekly bridge games with “the girls.” Isabel will
be remembered as a humble, generous, and loving person. She always put
her own interests second and always had a positive word of support for
someone in distress. She loved to bake and laugh and pat the many
lucky cats who got to call her mom as well.
Isabel is survived by her children
Karen, Halifax; Ron (Loriann), Calgary; Ken, Amherst; grandchildren
Christine and Colleen (Chris Durr), both of Calgary and sister-in-law
Gloria Jackson of Rexton, NB.
She was predeceased by her husband, of
57 years, Harold F. Jackson formerly of North Sydney in 2009 and her
brother Donald “Buck” Landry of Port Elgin, NB in
2017.
Arrangements have been entrusted into
the care and guidance of Jones Family Funeral
Centre, 70 Church Street, Amherst, NS (902-667-8777)
where a visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 18 from 2-4 and 6-8.
A funeral service will be held on Thursday, May 19 at Holy Family
Catholic Church, Amherst. Interment will follow in the St.
Charles-Nativity Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations in
Isabel’s memory may be made to the Amherst Food Assistance
Network Association or the charity of your choice.
Sharing of memories and condolences may
be sent to the family by visiting the online memorial at
www.jonesfamilyfuneralcentre.ca or through the Jones Family Funeral Centre
Facebook Page.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Isabel C Jackson 1928 2022..
Death notice for the town of: Amherst, Province: Nova Scotia