Rosalind Ann Jackson

Former Alaska resident Rosalind Ann (Benetti) Jackson, 60, of Avalon, Calif., and Reno, Nev., died Dec. 12, 2008, at St. Mary's Regional Medical Center in Reno.
Rosalind's death was sudden and unexpected; the first sign of illness came on Thanksgiving Day, she was diagnosed with a brain tumor on Dec. 4 and her entire family was with her from the diagnosis until she died.
Rosalind's funeral will be at St. Catherine Catholic Church of Alexandria and her memorial services will be in the Avalon Ballroom, both in Avalon. The funeral begins at noon Jan. 17, and the memorial service at 1 p.m. For more information visit rosalindjackson.lifequarters.com.
Rosalind was born April 20, 1948, in Sacramento, Calif., where she was raised and met her future husband. She began her lifelong teaching career upon graduation in 1970 from California State University-Sacramento with a Bachelor of Arts degree in education.
Several years later, she earned a master's degree in education from the University of Alaska Anchorage and continued advanced education studies throughout her life. During her career, Rosalind taught fifth through eighth grades at Gladys Wood Elementary School in Anchorage; Stone Valley Middle School in Alamo, Calif.; Animus School in Farmington, N.M.; and Avalon School on Catalina Island.
Rosalind loved her students and colleagues dearly, an emotion that was liberally returned.
Rosalind was pursued by many but fell for only one, William Stephen Jackson, whom she married in 1971.
The love and respect that Rosalind and Steve had for one another was unconditional and grew steadily; a recurring comment about them was they acted like newlyweds. For Rosalind's 40th birthday party, Steve planned a surprise party with more than 100 guests. The party culminated with an elaborate Hollywood-style slide show of Rosalind's youth and early married life. Rosalind and Steve enjoyed Catholic married couple retreats and restated their wedding vows on five separate occasions. They believed traditional wedding vows were improved by adding a vow of forgiveness.
Rosalind's dream was to be a mother and teacher; in 1975, her dream of motherhood was realized with the birth of their first child. Over the next six and one-half years, Rosalind and Steve were blessed with the birth of three mischievous boys and one angelic little girl.
In 1976, Rosalind took a leave of absence from teaching to focus on the responsibility of raising children. In 1981, Rosalind and Steve moved to Danville, Calif., where Rosalind volunteered at Saint Isidore Catholic School, became founding member of a spiritual book club, organized children's play groups, immersed herself in Bible study and maintained physical strength through exercise. After 15 years of raising and inspiring her own children, Rosalind resumed teaching at Stone Valley Middle School, Animas School and Avalon School. Along the way, Rosalind touched many lives and will be remembered for these contributions.
In addition to Rosalind's passion for her family and teaching, she was an outstanding hostess, gifted artist, graceful dancer, loved Bible study, art, literature, travel, food, entertainment, dancing and physical fitness.
Rosalind had a strong faith in God and special adoration for the Virgin Mary, especially her appearance as Our Lady of Guadalupe, the patron Saint of the Americas, whose symbol was healing, beauty and the Castilian Rose. The name Rosalind means "lovely as a rose" and she fully lived up to her name. It cannot be a coincidence that Rosalind died on Dec. 12, the day of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
One of hundreds of letters Rosalind received from her adorable students while in the hospital implored her to come back to Avalon for the parade on Dec. 12 in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Rosalind is survived by her husband, Steve; children, Roger, Stephen, Alexander and Juliette; daughters-in-law, Krysta Hodgins Jackson, Lisa Groszek Jackson; brother, Raymond Benetti; sister-in-law, Mona Benetti; brother-in-law, Martin Jackson; nephew and niece, Keri and Jarryd Jackson; sister- and brother-in-law, Suzanne Shimek and Mark Hill; nieces, Amy Shimek and Abby Shimek Wichmann; and mother-in-law, Thelma Jackson.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Avalon School Fund for the needs of Rosalind's School and the students she loved so dearly.
"Rosalind did not have a good life - she had a great life!" her family said.