Mary Gilbert Jackson

Mary Gilbert Jackson, lifelong resident of Sonoma County, died Saturday, October 9, 2010 at the age of 81. She lived an active and fulfilling life, made rich by a strong Catholic faith and the love of family and friends. Mary was born June 19, 1929 in Healdsburg, California to parents Lindley Gilbert and Beatrice Heggie, founders and long-time owners of the Healdsburg Lumber Company. She attended Healdsburg public schools. On December 26, 1948, Mary wed her high school sweetheart, Elvin Jackson. The two were married for 49 years, until Elvin's death in 1998. Together Mary and Elvin raised a family of seven children in Healdsburg, relocating to Santa Rosa in 1981. As her children grew older, Mary returned to college, graduating from Sonoma State University with a degree in Political Science. Afterwards she worked for several years as the Financial Manager for the Volunteer Center of Sonoma County, a position that combined her love of planning with her strong belief in the value of community service. Retiring from this position in 1994, Mary worked part-time as a tax preparer for accountant Bob Brannigan. In addition to her paid work, Mary served as Eucharistic Minister for many years at Resurrection Parish in Santa Rosa, as a volunteer teacher's aide at Fitch Mountain School in Healdsburg, and as a tutor for the Sonoma County Library Literacy Program. Mary was a voracious reader and avid sports fan who loved to garden. She was passionate about genealogy and was a member of the Sonoma County Genealogy Society. She was always very proud of her heritage, including the fact that her great-grandfather, Camile Aguillon, was one of the earliest wine-makers on the Sonoma Plaza. Mary even traveled to England and Scotland to research her family tree first-hand. Mary is survived by a legacy of love through her 7 children, 15 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren. She was mother to Margaret Jackson of Healdsburg, Thomas Jackson (Kristine) of Novato, Carol Jackson (Richard Fenske) of Seattle, WA, Paul Jackson (Denise) of Yountville, Peter Jackson (Laurie) of Elk Grove, Jeanne Jackson-Gistelli (Richard) of Eugene, OR, and Mary Jackson-Smith (Douglas) of Logan, UT. She was grandmother to Delores Jackson Anderson (Wesley), Ben Jackson, Nathan and Corinne Jackson, Ellis and Lydia Fenske, Rachel and Susan Jackson, Trevor and Daniel Jackson, Kyle and Anna Gistelli, and Amy, Emma, and Rose Jackson-Smith. She was great-grandmother to Jacob, Alyxandra, and Jessamy Anderson. She was sister to David Gilbert (Marge) of Peoria, AZ and Paul Gilbert (Elizabeth) of Edmonds, WA. A funeral mass and memorial service will be held Monday, October 25th at 11:00 a.m. at Resurrection Parish in Santa Rosa.