Patricia Elaine Jackson (Patsy), age 74, passed away peacefully October 21, 2020 due to complications of end-stage Alzheimer's Dementia. She was born May 3, 1946 in Dallas, Texas to James and Kathrine Granville. Patsy grew up in Dallas, graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School and attended Texas Tech University. During her 1965 summer break from college, she met the love of her life, William G Jackson (Bill). It was love at first sight - Patsy moved to Boulder, Colorado and married Bill on October 22, 1965. Patsy was Bill's loving and treasured wife, and inseparable friend for 55 wonderful years. Patsy quickly became an active and cherished member of the Boulder Community by teaching generations of preschoolers at Mountain View Preschool for 30 years, hosting political caucuses, attending the World Affairs Conferences, and faithfully immersing herself in St John's Episcopal Church Community. Patsy's sunny, friendly, and vivacious personality exemplified her innate magnetic personality and ability to make and develop many benevolent, wonderful, and priceless friendships over the years. Patsy, always the celebrant of life, family, friends, and faith loved to socialize and strengthen friendships by going out to eat, traveling, or using a game of bridge as a pretext for just getting together to catch up and laugh. Patsy was a dedicated mother first and foremost. She was an avid photographer throughout her life, and she loved capturing and sharing the memories of the family's year-round adventures. She often was found in precarious situations, like out on the ledge of a cliff, to attain the perfect picture. Her favorite pictures to take were photos of the entire family, taken anywhere, and she loved taking pictures of flowers, waterfalls, and lighthouses, and documenting her world travels and sharing those wonderful photos and memories with all. She treasured her children and embraced every moment with them, creating a home that was loving, warm, and memorable. She especially loved her role as Grammy, her greatest joy. Her passion, dedication, and love of learning, traveling, CU Buffs basketball and football, and mountains - especially the Flatirons - created a lifetime of magical memories for her sons and granddaughter. You could often hear her exclaim: "I love my life!" Cherished wife of Bill Jackson. Devoted mother of Shawn Jackson & wife Sheila Jackson and Scott Jackson & partner Steve Pastor. Adored Grammy of Sarah Jackson. Loving daughter of late James Granville, and late Katherine Penland & husband late James Marr Penland. Dear sister to five brothers and one sister, and caring aunt to many nieces and nephews, all of whom she loved and touched deeply. Please join us in celebrating Patsy's life via a Zoom reception, (after a private Interment due to (COVID19), on Sunday, January 17, 2021 at 1:00 PM. Please email [email protected] for the link to the reception. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association: Colorado Chapter at http://www.alz.org/co/donate . Patsy is loved by all and will be missed immensely.

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Published by The Daily Camera on Jan. 3, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for Patricia Jackson

3 Entries

Michelle Penland

January 16, 2021

The first time that I met Patsy, I had just started dating James. He wanted me to meet his family and I was very nervous. I don’t remember what kind of gathering it was at Patsy and Bill’s house, but lots of family members were there. Patsy greeted me at the door like I was her long-lost sister. She introduced me to everyone and talked to me throughout the evening. That night, she became my friend forever.

Patsy was one of the nicest people whom I ever met. She was my politics buddy. She and James and I went to see Barack Obama both times that he ran for President.

She loved to talk and I loved talking to her. When she and Bill went on trips to Europe and the Caribbean, I got to hear about all of their fun adventures. It was like being able to go on the trips with them. And the pictures! She took lots of pictures of all of the beautiful places that they visited. Unlike most of us who have a jumble of hundreds of unorganized pictures, Patsy actually put hers in picture albums and labeled each picture. Whenever we visited, I loved going through these albums with her.

She inherited this love of travel from her mother, Kay. When her mother died, I told Patsy that Kay was undoubtedly in Heaven getting wings and a Passport so she could travel all over the place up there. I’m sure that Patsy is doing the same thing.

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James Penland

January 13, 2021

I'm feeling so incredibly sad that Pat is gone and yet I also realize how fortunate we all are. We all knew and got to spend time with one of the nicest and most positive people I've ever known. We knew her as a neighbor, friend, coworker, wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, and sister, and in many other roles. She too was lucky because she had such a loving family and so many friends.

Pat was my big sister and I loved and admired her for nearly 70 years. She was always laughing and talking, and talking, and laughing. In many ways she was my role model for life.

We had great fun growing up together...she had so much patience with a little brother who sometimes sorely tested that patience. The amazing thing is that no matter what I did to her, like eating the whole box of Nestles candy bars she had brought home to sell for some school event, she did not kill me (I mean she remained very positive and understanding). [In my defense, she left the box in plain sight hidden under the clothes in the back of her closet.]

I remember sitting with Pat on the front steps of our porch, waiting for Mr. Anthony to bring our million dollars (we dreamed big!).

I remember her sitting in a wheelchair the size of Mr. Potter's when she had a large mole removed from her leg. I remember that Pat was always spraining her ankles.

I remember how Pat hated cottage cheese and would gag when forced to eat it (I liked it when the attention was on her).

I remember we shared a blanket and screamed together as we watched Friday Night Frights on a small B&W TV.

I remember she was so beautiful in her braces and poodle skirt as a young teenager, and so happy in the pink convertible Cadillac she got from our grandfather when she got her driver's license.

I remember how excited she was the night she fixed spaghetti dinner for our mother and me and introduced us to the love of her life, Bill Jackson (great find by the way). Her "Billy".

I remember how elated she was with the births of her dear sons Shawn and Scott, and her dear granddaughter, Sarah.

I remember when she laughed and laughed as we rode the Octopus at the Texas State Fair as children and one last time as adults a few years ago in Boulder.

I remember going with Pat and Michelle to hear President Obama speak in Fort Collins. How passionate she was about politics because she loved people so much!

As a teenager, Pat taught me the value of life when she hurriedly carried our younger brother out of the house when a small fire occurred. She had been in the bathtub and did the heroic deed wearing only a small towel.

On our way to the golf course one day Bill declared that, while he and I were probably not, Patsy and Michelle were sure to go to heaven because they were both such good people. After thinking "What did I do?", I absolutely agreed about our wives.

Thank you Pat for all the love, support and happiness you brought into my life. Go in peace, my dear, dear sister. I love you. And thanks for the wonderful memories...you will never be gone from my heart.

Donna McNellis

January 3, 2021

Dear Bill and Family,
Pats was such a lovely,vibrant and warm person . Her vivacious and engaging personality touched everyone who knew her, especially young children. Her wonderful heart and soul lives on in the children, teachers and families who have had the privilege of being blessed by her life.
With love,
Donna McNellis

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