BEVERLEY ANN JACKSON

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BEVERLEY ANN JACKSON (nee Marshall) June 29, 1937 - March 28, 2015 It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Beverley (Bev) Jackson, devoted wife of 55 years to Robert (Bob) Jackson, and mother of Stuart (Teresa) Jackson and Beth (Pam) Jackson. Bev's loss is felt keenly by Gordon and June Miller (uncle and aunt); cousins Judy (Paul) Kennedy, Bob Miller, Donna (Bob) Geddes; other family members; and many old and new friends. Bev was born in Toronto on June 29, 1937 and lived with her mother (Gladys) and father (Earl) on Christie Street behind the small grocery store built by her grandfather (C.J. Miller). In 1948 they moved to Aldershot where she attended Maplehurst Public School and Waterdown High School, forming many fond memories and close friends. The family moved back to Toronto in 1953. There, Bev attended Lawrence Park Collegiate and later Shaw's Business College, where she trained to be a legal secretary. She met Bob through the youth group at Fairlawn United Church and they married on October 8, 1960. Bev and Bob moved to Winnipeg in 1962 where Stuart and Beth joined the family; they relocated to Edmonton in 1966, and returned to Winnipeg in 1970. In Winnipeg Bev and Bob formed many lasting friendships over barbecues and tables of bridge. Bev was a member of the Junior League of Winnipeg, a women's service organization which supported many local children's, seniors', health, arts and cultural organizations. During this time, Bev also served on an advisory board to the management of the Eaton's department store, providing advice on improving customers' experiences. In 1973, the family moved to a small farm near Stonewall, MB where there was lots of room for kids to grow and dogs and cats to multiply. For three federal elections (1979, 1980, 1984) Bev served as the Returning Officer for the Selkirk Interlake electoral district a riding of over 35,000 km2 with over a dozen First Nations Reserves. After post-census redistribution, she was required to create new legal descriptions and maps for each poll - a daunting job for such a large and varied district. Other jobs held different challenges: she volunteered at the school library, and for a time, Bev read meters for Manitoba Hydro - until she was bitten by a dog...twice. Together, Bev and Bob built a successful business (VAW Systems, Ltd. in Winnipeg) from 1978 to 2005, where their son Stuart has worked for almost 30 years. Bev played a leadership role in Finance and Human Resources, and Bob credits much of the company's success to her skillful work with employees, especially during union negotiations. A steady hand in those times ensured that customers were never adversely affected by the company's labour negotiations - over the course of 27 years there were no labour stoppages. Bev and Bob sold the firm in 2005 and moved home' to Ontario (Perth) to retire. Released from the demands of owning a company, they made many new friends and reconnected with old ones, including several Lawrence Park alumni who had also retired to Lanark County. For the past three years, Bev bravely faced a degenerative movement disorder (Progressive Supranuclear Palsy - PSP) and for the past six months resided at Valley Stream Manor in Ottawa. She died suddenly following a seizure on Saturday, March 28. Bev loved fiercely, shared generously, and laughed often. Her heart was moved by music, books and animals; she will be missed by beloved dog Gucci and cat Marco. Our heartfelt thanks go out to Marjorie Drew and Krissy Hall, who provided Bev with loving care over the past few years at home and at Valley Stream Manor. Our thanks also extend to the caring staff at Valley Stream Manor. Friends may pay their respects at the Blair & Son Funeral Home, 15 Gore St., West, Perth on Wednesday, April 8, 2015 from 10:00 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. followed by a memorial service in the Chapel at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Nature Conservancy of Canada: http://www.natureconservancy.ca/en/ what-you-can-do/donate/in_memoriam.html Lanark Animal Welfare Society: Please direct donations to the Spay-Neuter-Assistance program (also known as the Trouble Fund') https://www.canadahelps.org/dn/9226 Condolences at: www.blairandson.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 04, 2015