Katheleen E. Jackson

June 2, 1940 - February 17, 2021

Katheleen Elizabeth Jackson, age 80, of Clare, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by loved ones on Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2021. She was born the daughter of Arthur and Marjorie (Dwyer) Thayer, on June 2, 1940, in Clare. Katheleen was married to William Craig Jackson on November 7, 1964, and he survives her. She had a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and a Master’s Degree in Home Economics from Central Michigan University, and taught in the Grand Rapids area and Big Rapids area schools. She retired from the Mecosta/Osceola Intermediate School District. She served as the Director of Project Starburst in Big Rapids from 1990 until 2004. She was an active member of the National Ski Patrol for 35 years. She served as a Board of Directors member for the City of Clare Cherry Grove Cemetery for several years, which coincided with her love of genealogy. Katheleen also enjoyed creating stained glass windows and artwork, being involved in the local 4-H program, creating ceramics, sewing, and reading books. She and William were members of the Our Lady of Hope Catholic Church in Clare and she sang in the choir. Katheleen is survived by her husband, William and her children: Kelvin and Shari Jackson of Mt. Pleasant; Jeanette and Bill Hensler of Holt; Dianne and John Rose of Ithaca; Lynda and David McCartney of Winter Haven, Fla.; Theresa and Roger Diehl of Paris, MI; and Holly and Victor Kwiatkowski of Farwell. Also surviving are 15 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, her sisters, Ann (Tom) James of Cadillac, and Jane (Dan) Pyrett of Clio. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Robert Thayer, and his wife Patricia. A funeral mass will be held on Monday, Feb. 22, 2021 at 11:00 am at the Our Lady of Hope Catholic Church (St. Cecilia site in Clare) with Monsignor Frances Koper officiating. For those not able to attend, the service will be live-streamed on the Stephenson-Wyman Funeral Home Facebook page beginning at 11 a.m. Burial will follow in the Vernon Township Cemetery. Friends may meet with her family on Sunday, Feb. 21, at the Clare Chapel of Stephenson-Wyman Funeral Home from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Memorials may be made to Our Lady of Hope Church or to MidMichigan Homecare-Hospice. Mask wear and social distancing precautions will be strongly encouraged. If you are unable to attend, an online condolence register is available on Katheleen’s Tribute page at www.stephenson-wyman.com