Obituary of Lois A Jackson

Lois A. Jackson, a woman devoted to her family, passed away after a short illness on Monday morning, November 12, 2018. She was 85 years old. 

Lois was born in Medford. She was one of three children born to Leonard and Winifred White.  She grew up in Medford and was a 1951 graduate of Medford High School.  After high school she went to work at First National Stores Inc, where she met many lifelong friends. She was an active member of the young adults group at St Francis of Assisi Church in Medford, where she met her future husband, Richard (Dick) Jackson. Richard was on leave from the Navy as he was serving on the USS Tringa stationed at New London, CT during the Korean war.  They married in 1958 and settled in Burlington in 1961.  Lois and Richard had 6 children.  Lois was always a mother and homemaker first but earned her Associates Degree through night school before returning to work as a Data Analyst at Nixdorf Inc and Converse Inc.  She enjoyed her career, her coworkers, and her ability to support all her children as they pursued their interests and academic achievements.

Faith and family always came first to Lois and she ensured that family time was always a priority: evening meals were with Dick and the kids; weekends were for extended family, with Saturday being for the “Whites” and Sundays being reserved for the “Jacksons”.  She always maintained a strong connection with her brother and sister. Lois and her sister Joan were a dynamic duo, like the movie characters “Thelma and Louise” -- true sisters, best friends, and confidants.  As a mother, there was an unending love and support for each one of her children.  She sewed their dresses when they were young. She knitted hats, gloves, and blankets for each. She was a fantastic cook with her apple pie, meatballs, and sauce being among her family’s favorites. She was so proud of each one’s athletic, academic, and career accomplishments.  She loved welcoming 6 additional “children” as each of her own got married.

Her joy grew with the addition of 17 grandchildren. It is amazing how a romance at a church dance could lead to such a crowd.  She was their biggest cheerleader as they competed in hockey, baseball, softball, soccer, figure skating, track, lacrosse, golf, swimming, and dance. Being an athlete herself, she encouraged them all to do their best whether they won or lost.  She also loved the artistic expression displayed by her grandchildren showing their talents through writing, painting, ceramics, and graphic arts. Nothing made Lois happier than her 17 grandchildren.  She raised her children to be strong and independent, but she indulged and coddled her grandchildren.  In her eyes, her grandchildren could do no wrong and she savored every visit and moment she shared with them.  She would shower them with love and gifts on their birthdays and holidays.  Each one had a special place in her heart.  As her time on earth was coming to an end, she reassured each one that she would be watching over them from heaven.

Lois was the beloved wife of 60 years of Dick Jackson. She was the loving and caring mother of Cheryl Fogarty & her husband Kevin of Pepperell, Susan King & her husband Kevin of Bridgewater, Dr. Richard Jackson & his wife Dr. Kristina Jackson of N. Andover, Nancy McLaughlin & her husband Glenn of Wilmington, Stephanie Tiller & her husband Larry of Newburyport, and Diane Sumner & her husband Paul of Reading. She was the devoted sister of Joan Hayden & her husband Richard of Wilmington and Leonard White & his wife Maureen of Burlington. Lois was the proud “Nana” to Ryan, Brendan, Courtney, & Christian Fogarty, Cameron King, Graham, Harris, Noah, Grace & Maddie Jackson, Brittney, Taylor & Michaela McLaughlin, Lincoln Tiller, and Jacqui, Tommy & Ally Sumner.  She had numerous aunts, cousins, and nieces and nephews whom she adored.

A visitation will be held at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., Burlington (exit 34 off Rt. 128/95, Woburn side) on Friday, Nov. 16 from 4-8 p.m. Funeral from the Sullivan Funeral Home on Saturday, Nov. 17 at 9 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Margaret’s Church, 111 Winn St., Burlington at 10 a.m. Services will conclude with a burial in Pine Haven Cemetery, Burlington. Memorials in Lois’s name may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, P.O. Box 1893, Memphis, TN 38101-9950 or www.stjude.org. For directions obituary & online guestbook see www.stmargaretburlington.org or www.sullivanfuneralhome.net.