After getting married in 1946, Meg and Dr. Gil Jackson moved first to northern Minnesota before coming to Pasadena, California in 1948. They arrived in Santa Paula in 1951 with Susan, Tom and Doug, the first three of their five children, to open a veterinary practice that ran for the next 35 years.
During her 60 years as a resident of Santa Paula and Ventura County, Meg Jackson was an active citizen working for social justice and peace. She was an advocate and pioneer in local early childhood education, and helped to establish the Head Start Program in Santa Paula. She served one term on the Grand Jury of Ventura County, as well as the Santa Paula Planning Commission, and was very involved in numerous civic organizations including the League of Women Voters.
Meg was an avid reader and gardener. She was part of a women’s investment group called Avarice, a book club, and a First Thursday friends group and for many years she and Gil were active in a dance club. After retiring, Gil and Meg enjoyed traveling with Elderhostel. She loved birds and flowers, and knew the names of most all of them. She was a great supporter of the arts and organized family trips to museums and theaters, both locally and in Los Angeles.
Meg was passionate about being the best mother, grandmother and great-grandmother she could be. She was the hub of the family wheel and will be greatly missed by her children, Susan Jackson of Goleta, Tom (Judy) Jackson of Carpinteria, and Doug (Tama’a) Jackson, Brent Jackson (Lori Beardsley), and Matt Jackson, all of Santa Paula; her grandchildren, Jonathan, Sam, Grace, Maggie and Sunny Jackson, Keiti King, and Erica Ahmadian; and her great-grandchildren, Sophia, Cloe and Mariana.
There will be a celebration of her life memorial at her house from 1 to 3 p.m. on Sunday, December 11.
Last but not least, the family wishes to express their sincere gratitude for the loving and compassionate care provided to Meg by her caretakers: Elsie Gonzales, Ruben Gonzales, and Rosalva Arenas.
