Audrey J. Jackson

CANAAN, VT — Mrs. Audrey J. Jackson, 90, passed away peacefully on Thursday afternoon, November 3, 2011, at the Coös County Nursing Hospital in West Stewartstown, with members of her family by her side, and after a long period of declining health. She was born in Moes River, Québec, on February 26, 1921, a daughter to the late James and Pearl (Martin) Gemmell. Audrey grew up in Moes River and later moved to Coaticook where she attended high school. She later taught English in the one-room schoolhouse in Moes River. Audrey married Elmont Jackson in the fall of 1941, just prior to his deployment oversees during World War II. After the war and before starting a family, Audrey was the “camp cook” at Elmont’s logging camp in East Branch. After the war, they made their home on Gale Street in Canaan, Vt., where they raised their 6 daughters–“the Jackson girls.” In 1958 they purchased Marshall’s Camps on Lake Wallace and later named it Jackson’s Lodge, to “keep the girls busy and out of trouble.” An accomplished business woman, Audrey operated the resort, in addition to keeping the books for Elmont’s logging business, until she retired in 1986. Audrey was a member of Grace United Methodist Church, the Lake Wallace Association and a lifetime member of the American Legion Auxiliary. A true outdoors woman, she enjoyed hunting, fishing, and was an avid naturalist who instilled a love and appreciation of nature and the outdoors in all her daughters. She was an excellent cook and talented baker, famous for her homemade bread and mashed potato donuts. She loved animals, and the home was always filled with pets. She also enjoyed reading, knitting, crossword and jigsaw puzzles, and bingo. Most importantly, Audrey loved her family. She leaves behind a legacy of six daughters, Bonnie Crawford and husband Vernon of Canaan, Vt., Connie Jackson and husband Rob Roy of Colebrook; Donna Lemay and husband Serge of Canaan, Francine Bigney and husband Marc of Colebrook; Gloria Jackson of Canaan, and Hylie Marquis and husband Mario of Canaan; two sisters, Gladys Keir of Huntington, Vt., and Elsie Locke and husband Robert of Caribou, Me.; a sister-in-law, Ina Sargeant of Ottawa, Ont.; eight grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; five nephews and four nieces. She is preceded in death by her husband, Elmont, in 2001; a sister-in-law, Lola Jackson; as well as her long-time friend and employee, Emma Cote. There will be no public calling hours. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, November 11, 2011, at the Grace United Methodist Church in Canaan, Vt., with The Reverend Rick Boyden officiating. Interment will follow at the Alice Hunt Cemetery in Canaan. Expressions of sympathy in memory of Mrs. Jackson may be made to the Grace United Methodist Church, c/o Rev. Rick Boyden, P.O. Box 247, Canaan, VT 05903. Condolences may be offered to the family on-line by going to www.jenkinsnewman.com. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Jenkins & Newman Funeral Home, Colebrook, NH.

Audrey J. Jackson

February 26, 1921 - November 3, 2011