Marie C. Jackson was born November 28, 1929 in Hardisty, Alberta. Her parents were Gladys Marie (Blue) and Joseph Fowler Story. They farmed on the big hill at Hardisty. The dirty thirties were not kind to the Story family, and they followed the railroad to Sutherland, Saskatchewan. Mom always loved the farm with its cats, dogs, and most of all, horses. She could not have a horse in Sutherland, but she was going to have one someday.
She grew up with her brother, Joseph Leroy Story. They went to City Park School and both became teachers. Mom taught in rural schools in Arelee area, Drake, Bladworth and others. She married Lewis Frank Jackson in 1957. In those days when kids started coming, you had to quit teaching. Two daughters, Lori and Cheryl, were her career changers. The family lived in Montgomery Place in Saskatoon as Dad had been in the Royal Canadian Air Force. Mom started substitute teaching when we were both in elementary school. Back to horses, in 1969, she decided we needed a horse. Ginger joined the family, and many others followed through the years.
Mom even had her own horse, Manny, when she became a resident at Porteous Lodge. In her teaching days in the country, she had a dog named Handsome. There was a gap in dogs until 1986 when we got a stray named Spot. There have been more rescues through the years: Badger, Piper, Scout, and now Hank and King Julian. We also took in a momma cat and her five babies. Mom could look after cats when she was older. Yes, mom loved critters. Mom loved taking trips back to Hardisty and visiting her cousins. Even in her recent days, she was still back there even if just in her mind.
Mom passed at Porteous Lodge in Saskatoon on January 18, 2025. She enjoyed the company of many of the residents since she moved in there in 2019. Staff became friends. She did get out to see her animal buddies almost weekly until she broke her hip a couple years ago. That slowed her down a bit, but she still loved Roy Rogers and was riding on the prairies in her dreams. Mom did not wish to have a funeral. Instead, we had a small family internment. Mom would love it if donations were made to an animal rescue of your choice.
