Barbara Jackson

Born in Fall River, the daughter of the late Frederick and Anelita (Regoli) Dagata, and has been a resident of Somerset since 1965. She was a graduate of Dominican Academy, earned her Bachelor's Degree from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and received her Master’s Degree in Education from Bridgewater State University.

Mrs. Jackson was employed as an Elementary School and Special Education Teacher in the Fall River and Swansea School Departments for over 30 years but her main “occupation” was raising her family and being the bedrock for all of her loved ones. She was a loving wife, a selfless mother and devoted grandma or “Gigi” and was a constant and unwavering source of support to her family. To say she enjoyed cooking is an understatement - it was her love language. As the grandkids would say, “she could make shoe leather taste delicious” and she never hesitated to whip up a quick snack or dish and enjoy hearing about “what’s new” in your life. After retirement, she traveled the world with her husband and loved to share pictures and tireless stories of her trips. But her favorite hobby was looking for bargains, whether it was at Macy’s, Kohl’s or the grocery store, she had a nose for finding the best deals and loved the thrill of the hunt.

She is survived by four children, Mary Ellen Gay and her husband Jerry of Houston, TX, Robert L. “BJ” Jackson Jr., of Somerset, Julie McDonald of Somerset and Jeff Jackson of Brentwood, NH; thirteen grandchildren, Jesse Gay, Janna Arredondo, Fred Jackson, Jennifer Jackson, Ryan McDonald, Kathryn Blanco, Elizabeth McDonald, Sarah Vickery, Kady Poland Adam Jackson, Jeffrey Jackson, Rebecca Jackson and Colin Jackson and eight great grandchildren.

Mrs. Jackson was also the mother of the late John F. Jackson.

Her funeral will be held on Friday, January 16, 2026 at 9am from the Waring-Sullivan Home at Rose E. Sullivan, 866 County St., Somerset, followed by her Mass of Christian Burial at 10am in St. Thomas More Church, 386 Luther Ave., Somerset. Burial will follow in St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Fall River. Visiting hours will be Thursday, from 4-7pm in the funeral home. Memorial contributions in her honor may be made to The Jimmy Fund, Dana faber Cancer Institute, 10 Brookline Place West, 6th Floor, Brookline, MA 02445 or www.jimmyfund.org To place an online tribute or for directions, please visit: www.waring-sullivan.com