Alice B. Jackson

alice jackson
Alice B. Jackson, 64, of Hamden was called home to the Lord on Sunday, November 20, 2016 after a brief illness. The daughter of the late Fred and Frances (Barnum) Jackson, Alice was blind from birth, but she did not let it stop her from living a very full and productive life. Alice was raised in Norwalk, and was one of the first disabled students to be 'mainstreamed' in the public schools. She graduated from Norwalk High School and attended the University of Connecticut, where she earned a master's degree in social work. She had a long career with the state's Services for the Blind, teaching people who had lost their vision how to regain their independence. Alice's intelligence, grace, courage, humor and warmth brought her a wide circle of devoted friends. She was a capable advocate for the disabled all her adult life, serving as president of her local Lion's Club, and active at both the state and national level in organizations for the blind. Alice was extremely musical. She sang in the children's choir at St. Paul's church, and in her teens she gained widespread recognition for her heartfelt interpretations of folk songs, accompanying herself on the guitar. Later she studied voice and often lent her fine lyric soprano to classical performances in the area. Alice was also a talented cook. All of her friends and family looked forward to her Christmas cookies each year. She was an accomplished knitter and crocheter, an avid reader, a technology enthusiast and a lifelong cat lover. Alice's life was strongly rooted in faith. She was an active member of St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Cheshire where she sang in the choir for many years. She studied faith healing so that she could minister to those in physical or emotional pain, and became a powerful 'prayer warrior,' praying each day for healing and peace for our troubled world. Alice is survived by her three brothers, Fred (Ted) Jackson and his wife Vickie of Lakeland, Florida, Daniel Jackson and his wife Mary of Ridgefield, and John Jackson and his wife Emily of Milford; her sister, June Jackson of Edmonds, Washington; as well as many nieces and nephews. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Memorial service for Alice on Saturday, December 10, 2016 at 11:00am at St. Peters Episcopal Church, Cheshire. Visitation with Alice's family will take place on Friday, December 9, 2016 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at BEECHER & BENNETT FUNERAL HOME, Hamden. Interment will be private. Memorial donations in Alice's name may be made to the Lion's Club at www.lcif.org, or the American Foundation for the Blind, 2 Penn Plaza, Suite 1102, New York, NY 10121 or St. Peter's Church, 59 Main St., Cheshire, CT 06410.

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  1. I am writing to express my sorrow for the loss of my very very special friend, Alice B. Jackson, and to acknowledge that I know for all of you in her family this was a sudden and unexpected event. In the 47 years I have known Alice I can honestly say I could never have expected to have such a wonderful friend. We shared our love of books, great authors, and I will always credit her for being the reason I read more as an adult that I ever did as a child, and I read a lot as a child. We understood our mutual love-hate relationship with computers and all their auxiliary parts, and it was after I saw her first set-up with her reading scanning software that I knew I just had to have a computer some day. She graciously hosted me at her house when I could come down from Massachusetts, but we spent long hours on the telephone discussing great books, and sharing in the successes and defeats we both struggled through from the first time we met in college until later on November 17th when we agreed I would call her the next day to see how she was doing. My hope for all of you in her family is that you will find peace and comfort in knowing that she was well-loved, and in God’s capable hands. Though I will be unable to make the trip down to Cheshire for the service, I will pray for all of you. I am blessed to have known and been an important person in Alice’s life, and I am a better person because she was an important person in my life. I am sorry for your loss, but hope you will find peace in knowing that your memories of her will always be with you.

  2. I extend condolences to Alice\’s family. As a teacher in Honeyhill School,I had the good fortune to work with Alice.She was a shining light to all of her classmates and teachers. Our students were working on basketball skills and I worked one on one with her shooting baskets. Her exuberance when she succeeded one day was a joy. Her comment was a Biblical quote \….faith of a mustard seed…\. May she rest in peace for eternity?

  3. Goodness I am so sorry to learn of Alice’s passing. I hate to say it, but the last time I saw her was in 1968. What a great memory she has left me with, even almost 50 years later. I can see the smile she always wore back in those days just like it was yesterday. Her sense of humor, grace, dignity, beautiful voice and tolerance of all people, all of the time, are inspiring. I offer my condolences to John and the rest of the family. I wish peace for you all. I hope that you can get to a place in your lives that when you think of Alice, it brings a smile to your face, and not tears. I know I will think of her often in the days to come.

    Toni Froehling

    Orting, Washington

  4. I’m at a loss to say anything that expresses Alice’s wonderful qualities as well as the beautiful sentiments expressed below. I knew Alice from Honeyhill through UConn, and at St. Paul’s in Norwalk. I can only say she came as close to the ‘perfect spirit’ as anyone I’ve met. Courageous, gentle, unfailingly upbeat, and talented in so many ways… Somewhere around 8th grade Alice hosted a party where she played guitar and sang folk songs. I recall being floored hearing .Early Morning Rain. and .Leaving On a Jet Plane. for the first time – I’d never seen anyone play or sing so beautifully. I also remember fondly the love and respect our 4th grade classmates would show Alice when she read and spoke in class. The last time I saw Alice was ambling across a giant quad at UConn, where she was of course going about daily life, just like the rest of us. I am sorry for the family, and echo what Toni says below, that Alice’s memory may bring smiles and happiness though we are crying now.

    Robert Nouza

    Wilton, CT

  5. My wife Lisa and I give our condolences to Alice’s family. She, without a doubt, made this neighborhood and will be greatly missed. She always enjoyed it when I would bring my Chihuahua named Lucky to visit. She would hold Lucky close to her while she petted her. Lucky misses her, too. Every time we walk past Alice’s house Lucky runs to her front door and whines. She did it again today, 12-7-16, Wednesday. That’s how nice a person your sister was. About 2 months ago Alice told me that she was going to send me a present from Harry & David. I told her to save her money and save some of her cookies for me instead. Guess what was delivered to me yesterday afternoon by FedEx ? A fruit basket from Harry & David with the following note – – – – – – Many thanks for everything. All the best, Love Alice. I will never forget this present. For the 8 years I had the privilege of knowing her not once did I see her in a bad mood. She always had a smile and said she hoped I had a wonderful day. You could hear the sincerity in her voice. Every street should have a person like Alice.

  6. Bob Nouza just let me know. I haven’t seen Alice since Norwalk High. Like Bob, I was at Honeyhill, West Rocks, and NHS with Alice. I have lived in the Denver area for 40+ years as rehab counselor and admin for people with disabilities. I remember also her beautiful voice and guitar playing… still listening to Early Morning Rain and folk songs of that time. I remember how positive and upbeat she always was. She influenced my young life in terms of people with differences, maybe unconsciously influenced my career decision. I am so glad to hear Alice had a good life, social worker, advocate, musician, chef. Your family should be very proud. Sorry she went so soon.


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