Katherine Peak Jackson

Katherine Alana Peak Jackson accepted her call to heaven on Friday, Aug. 21, 2009, in Baton Rouge, in a moment of peace and tranquility, surrounded by her loved ones. Katie was born on May 16, 1946, at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge, the daughter of Douglas F. Peak and Mary Rita Scivicque Peak. She grew up surrounded by a large, close-knit family in Walker before graduating from Walker High School. Katie attended LSU, where she was a member of the Delta Zeta sorority, and graduated from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock in 1969. While at LSU, Katie met and married the love of her life, her adoring husband, Robert G. Jackson, whom she wed on Aug. 20, 1966. Katie was a selfless and loving wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, sister, sister-in-law, aunt, cousin, confidante and friend to many. She held a great devotion to Holy Mary and the Holy Spirit. She lived by example and instilled in others the importance of unconditional love and devotion to family and friends. Katie sought to help those around her feel the love of the Lord in their lives on a daily basis. For years, Katie volunteered as a Eucharistic minister at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center, serving communion to patients; acted as a co-facilitator for home retreats at the Cenacle Retreat House in Metairie; participated in the Marian Servants in St. George Parish and many other faith-based community activities. To her husband and children, Katie was the spirit, rock, heart, muse, counsel, conscience and cook of the family. Katie enjoyed and appreciated all aspects of life to their fullest. She enjoyed the pleasure and stimulation of travel and study, but equally so the simple beauty of a sunset, rainbow or full moon. During the past few years Katie took a special interest and joy in iconography and other forms of painting. Katie was also a regular at daily Mass at a variety of churches in the area, as well as a member and participant in many prayer groups, bible study groups and retreats. To her grandchildren, Adelaide Louise Jackson, Henry Robert Jackson, Grace Elizabeth Jackson and Alexandra Marie Jackson, who affectionately called her "Honey" or "Honey-Pie," she was an ever loving grandmother and maintained a constant, daily personal presence in their lives. Katie is survived by her husband, Robert G. Jackson; three sons, Jason Konrad Jackson and wife Sarah Cenac Jackson, of New Orleans, Jeffrey Kincaid Jackson and wife Amy Murry Jackson, of Baton Rouge, and John Kirby Jackson and fiancée Koetting Marie Broussard, of Houston; a brother, T. Douglas Peak and wife Faye Peak, of Walker; a sister, Colleen Peak, of Baton Rouge; her husband's sisters, Jackie Harvey and husband Charles B. Harvey, of Tallahassee, Fla., and Valerie Gastinel and husband Phillip Gastinel, of Baton Rouge; her husband's brother, John J. Jackson III and wife Chrissie Jackson, of New Orleans; nieces, Melinda Shallcross, Karla Peak McLaurin, Cheryl Peak Bourg, Jeannie Peak Devillier, Rachel Palmer, Rebekah Gastinel and Sarah Gastinel; nephews, Charlie Harvey, John Harvey, Jeff Harvey and Paul Gastinel; grandchildren, Adelaide, Grace, Alexandra, Henry and a grandson to be born in the coming days. Katie is also survived by great-nieces, great-nephews and many loving cousins, including Jo Eva Peak Rovira, of Houston. Katie leaves a wake of broken hearts, consoled by the knowledge that her love and faith was a positive influence on and remains an inspiration to all those blessed to know her. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Jesuit Spirituality Center, P.O. Box C, Grand Coteau, LA 70541, or St. Vincent de Paul. Visitation at St. Joseph Cathedral, 401 Main St., on Sunday, Aug. 23, was from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Visitation resumes at the cathedral on Monday, Aug. 24, from 9 a.m. until Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m., with the Rev. Than Vu, celebrant. Burial in Oak Lane Memorial Park in Prairieville. Arrangements by Rabenhorst Funeral Home, 825 Government St.