Joanne Jackson

Joanne Jackson, 94, died peacefully in her home in Massillon, surrounded by family on Thursday, February 6, 2025, following a short period of declining health. She was born in Dover, Ohio and graduated from Dover High School. She worked at United Bank in Canton and at Goodyear Aerospace/Loral Division in Akron, but most importantly she was a great wife, mom, grandma, and great grandma.

In the beginning, as fate would have it, a failed blind date led her to the Brooklyn Grille in Dover, where she would meet Norm Jackson and begin the love story of her life. They married on October 2, 1954, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Dover. Their romance began at a chance meeting and continued to grow over the years, giving birth to 5 children, 13 grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren.

Throughout her life, Mom modeled qualities that will remain in the hearts and minds of all who knew her. Her devotion to her husband, Norm, celebrating 66 years of marriage led to joyous births, numerous family parties, and holiday gatherings, many beach vacations, European travel, and trips to Colorado, St Croix, and Costa Rica. And her favorite excursions were to The Goat Soup and Whiskey at Put-In -Bay, Ohio. That steadfast loyalty to her husband culminated in selfless serving and care of him in his later years with all the challenges of Alzheimer’s disease. Always loving, never complaining.

She was devoted to her family. Mom was the heart of her home. Her love was expressed through the meticulous care of her house. Her scratch made meals and birthday cakes brought rave reviews. Her creativity and thriftiness led her to perfect sewing skills, so she and the kids always looked stylish. She was her family’s #1 fan, cheering from the bleachers and keeping the uniforms pristine clean.

As her family expanded to include grandchildren, their spouses and great-grandchildren, her heart and home accommodated, bursting at the seams with the overflow of her love and devotion.

She was devoted to her faith; worshipping at St Mary’s Church in Massillon developed into lifelong friendships that brought her much joy over the years.

She never said a negative thing about anybody. She lived her life with endless positivity and deep gratitude for good health. She showed us how to live without worry and with the faith that things will always work out for the best. She showed us how to love. Her legacy will live in our hearts forever.

Surviving are, Tom (Sherrie) Jackson; Sam (Fran) Jackson; Christine (Mike) Vellucci; Scott (Caroline) Jackson; 13 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her loving husband Norm Jackson; son, Jay Jackson; parents, Sam and Barb (Rieger) Koledin; siblings Trudy Reilly and Tom Koledin.

Visitation will be held 9:30am to 10:30am, Friday, February 14, 2025, at Paquelet & Arnold-Lynch Funeral Home. Following the visitation, Mass will take place at St. Mary’s Catholic Church at 11:00am, officiated by Father Robert Lanternman.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Mary’s of Massillon (726 1st St. NE, Massillon, Oh 44646); Central Catholic High School, The Jay Jackson Scholarship Fund (4824 Tuscarawas St. W, Canton, Oh 44708); Daughters of Mary of Nazareth Convent (26 Phipps St, Quincy MA 02169) or Akron-Canton Regional Food Bank (1365 Cherry Ave NE, Canton, OH 44714).

To share a memory of Joanne or leave a special message for her family, please visit the guestbook below.