Martha Ann Jackson (née Pritchard), beloved mother and wife, passed away on November 26 at the age of 80.
She was a caregiver, traveler, an artist, and a generous supporter of numerous charities. The daughter of a nurse and the president of a grain mill in Iowa, she traveled the world; initially as one of the first high school exchange students between America and Thailand and later with her husband with whom she flew around the world visiting Europe and China before living in Hawaii and criss crossing North America many times by VW Beetle, family van and in retirement an RV camper.
Her intelligence and determination were undeniable and she worked hard her whole life. From building roads in Thailand to starting her own in-home family day care practice while raising her four children. She knew how to persevere and reinvented herself throughout her life. She chose to pursue a career in nursing in her late forties and became a nurse practitioner and educator in her early 50s focusing on geriatric care. While not religious, she was a philosophical person and spent periods of her life as a member of the episcopal church, a student of eastern philosophy, and as a reiki and therapeutic touch practitioner. She gave time and support to charitable organizations focused on children’s health and well being, animal welfare, justice for Native American People, land conservation and the arts. She was a skilled craftswoman and loved Americana and high contrast colors. Her quilts and artfully sewn works are treasured by many and she regularly donated her work to community fundraising efforts. Her quilts will warm her grandchildren for years to come. She loved her family and her friends with fierce loyalty and endless compassion. A love she extended to the many pets she kept throughout her life. Miniature schnauzers held a special place in her heart but she kept cats, dogs, sun conures, chickens, geese, turkeys, doves, turtles, hamsters and guinea pigs at her home in Hopkinton where she lived for over forty years.
She is survived by her husband of 56 years Kevin, four children Meagan, Seth, Ethan, and Caleb, her 4 grandchildren, her brother Barr, and her puppy Bernie.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, January 3rd from 11:30-1:00 at Chesmore Funeral Home of Hopkinton, 57 Hayden Rowe St. www.ChesmoreFuneralHome.com A funeral home service will follow at 1:00. A reception will be held at 2:00 p.m. at the Hopkinton Center for the Arts, 98 Hayden Rowe St. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Rosie’s Place, https://www.rosiesplace.org/.
