Mary Ann Jackson

Mary Ann Jackson, age 84 of Rensselaer, Indiana passed away Saturday, July 24, 2021 at Franciscan Health Rensselaer. She was born November 15, 1936 in Berwyn, Illinois, the daughter of David William and Anne Linnea (Benson) Olson. Mary Ann graduated from J. Sterling Morton High School in Berwyn, the Class of 1954. She graduated from Purdue University in 1958 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. Always a supporter of her Alma Mater, Purdue University, she was also a member of the Chi Omega Sorority. On June 28, 1958, in Berwyn, Illinois, she married William Charles Jackson, who passed away January 16, 2013. Together, they raised three children. After moving to Rensselaer, Mary Ann taught freshman English at Rensselaer High School from 1958 to 1960. Although she only taught two years, she was dearly loved and admired by all her students. Born a Chicago girl, she grew to love Rensselaer. It was here, in a small town, where she volunteered and served her community in many capacities. She was a past district chairman for the American Cancer Society, a long-time member and past president of Tri-Kappa Sorority, a Deaconess and Elder of the First Christian Church in Rensselaer, where she helped with funeral dinners and the Annual Beef & Noodle dinner. She earned her real estate license and became a sales agent. She was an avid Bridge player and a member of Curtis Creek Country club and loved to play golf in her spare time. She loved fishing, which her father introduced her to, on Yellow Lake, Wisconsin. Later, she & Bill would take their family vacations, fishing up in Minnesota and Canada on Red Lake and Lake of the Woods. In their retirement years, Bill & Mary Ann spent their winters in Naples, Florida where they made numerous friends and enjoyed boating and playing golf. She enjoyed the arts, theater and was always up for trying something new. She had a knack for vegetable and flower gardening and was an excellent cook, known for her “motherly” meals made with love and her famous pecan pies. Most of all, she enjoyed spending time with her friends, her children and grandchildren, all of whom, will deeply miss her wit, charm and grace. Mary Ann is survived by her three children, Beth Ann (Larry) Glicken of Bluffton, SC, W. Craig (Lisa) Jackson and Eric C. (Kari Ann Hughes, fiancé) Jackson, both of Rensselaer; four grandchildren, Kate (John) Weston, Blake Chambers, Connor (Megan Fulton, girlfriend) and Ava Jackson; one great-granddaughter, Kallie Weston. She is also survived by one cousin, Anne Conkling of Ashville, NC. Friends are invited to visit with family on Wednesday, July 28, 2021 from 3:00 to 8:00PM at Jackson Funeral Chapel of Rensselaer. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, July 29, 2021 at Jackson Funeral Chapel at 10:30AM with Rev. Elizabeth Hartmann officiating. Interment will follow at Memory Gardens of Rensselaer. Memorial contributions may be made in Mary Ann’s name to the First Christian Church of Rensselaer or Purdue University.

Mary Ann Jackson

November 15, 1936 - July 24, 2021