Dorothy Ann Jackson

Dorothy Ann Jackson,  81, of South Haven passed away July 29, 2013. She followed the advice Dylan Thomas gave to his father: She did not go gently into that good night.

According to Dorothy, the best decision she ever made in her life was when she said “I do” to her surviving husband, Don Jackson, in 1953. Their adventures together included four surviving children: Mary (Claude) Jackson, Don (Julie) Jackson, Susie (Royce) Myers and Jenny (Alistair) McGill. Her ability to put a special touch to anything she did, strength to overcome obstacles, and  need for adventure are evident in each one.

Born May 18, 1932, to Louis and Irene Klute in Three Oaks, she learned from the Klutes and Siegmunds that family was more important than wealth or privilege. Her deep ties to the community were apparent in the class of ’49 reunions and the vast knowledge she shared about the history of Three Oaks. Strong connections to the past were evident throughout her home and have been preserved in her writings, photos, 11 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. 

Dorothy enjoyed 50 years as a passionate crusader of children’s education. She was a home economics graduate of Michigan State University with a master’s degree from Western Michigan University. Her admiration for Shel Silverstein and Bill Martin Jr. were evident in the way she taught kindergarten in South Haven and implemented Title I in Bloomingdale Elementary. This sense of humor and simple, exact way with words were a patent trait in her recent unpaid employment as greeting card writer and creator with her daughter, Susie.

She felt her friends were like sunshine to greet her day, give her hope and fulfill her dreams. Whether it was “the gals” of Jeanette Roderick, Ruth Adkins and Lucy Maxwell, or Kay Powers and Carla Puckett, her long-term friends were by her side, sharing laughs and frustrations over lunch. She caught performances at DeVos Hall with Milt and Ed, and softly shared thoughts with Lynn Lyon and Beth Keithly. Her involvement in Scott Club and writers’ groups were a natural extension of close friends, both new and old.

Her memory bank was filled with family travels in tents, campers, motorhomes, and Motel 6s. She could have a family of six packed and ready to go in less than an afternoon. In recent years, Dorothy was known for her bottle garden, quilting, writing and salad dressing. She was also known for her sweaters that, like in life, were knitted with love, happiness and acceptable errors for and of each recipient. 

Dorothy’s advice to “add sugar if it doesn’t taste right” was more than just cooking advice. It was how she lived. She did not let blindness, kidney failure or even amputations affect her optimistic outlook on life. An inspiration to many, she faced all of the medical challenges brought forth by diabetes and let old age burn and rave at the close of day and raged, raged against the dying of the light.

A memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24, 2013, at the South Haven Scott Club. In lieu of flowers, donations may also be made to the Scott Club