Marjorie H. Jackson

Marjorie H. Jackson, age 98, of Salem, NH, died peacefully on May 1, 2022 following a period of declining health.

Marjorie was born on April 23, 1924 in Lawrence, Massachusetts to the late Donald L. and Helen (McMasters) Bignell. 

A life-long resident of Salem, Marjorie graduated from Woodbury High School Class of 1942, married Donald L. Jackson, and raised their children in Salem.

Marjorie was proud to be a life-long member of Pleasant Street United Methodist Church where she participated in choir and various committees and membership functions. She retired from employment with the Town of Salem as Assistant Town Clerk.

She was a member of the Rockingham Chapter No. 2, Order of the Eastern Star. Marjorie relished her Scottish heritage and enjoyed traveling, oftentimes with her childhood friend Gertrude “Trudy” Turner, to England, Scotland, Alaska, Hawaii, Nova Scotia, Florida, and many states. She also enjoyed ocean and riverboat cruises and car trips with friends. Marjorie particularly enjoyed creating stained glass lamps and objects of art, winning awards for her work. Her most beloved creation is the stained-glass window above the door at The Food for the Hungry Food Bank at Pleasant Street United Methodist Church.

One of Marjorie’s favorite endeavors involved the temporary housing of children from Bosnia, brought to the US for surgeries for war-related injuries through the efforts of Nobody’s Children of Windham, NH. Despite the language barrier, the children quickly bonded with their host and gained a willing partner in their mischievous pranks.

Marjorie particularly enjoyed time spent at Newfound Lake, walking through Sugar Hill at the annual NH Lupine Festival, gardening, sewing, knitting, reading and puzzles – one was always in progress awaiting help from company. She enjoyed organizing and participating in many high school class reunions over the years. More recently, she also enjoyed a “book club” with her granddaughters, J. April Barrett and Stephanie Nigro.

She enjoyed socializing with friends, holiday gatherings, church activities, visits with family and in particular her great grandchildren, Wesley and Isla Jackson.

Marjorie is predeceased by her husband, Donald L. Jackson, her sister, Arlis Holm and her parents Donald L. and Helen M. Bignell.

Her family members include her sons James D. Jackson and his wife Debra of Salem, NH, Douglas J. Jackson and his wife Karen of Weare, NH and her daughter Rhonda J. Cairns of Salem, NH. She leaves her grandchildren Christopher M. Jackson of Derry, NH, J. April Barrett of Manchester, NH, Gregory M. Jackson and his wife Katrina of Salem, NH, and Stephanie and her husband Russell Nigro of Mt. Desert Island, Bernard, ME and her greatgrandchildren Wesley Jackson and Isla Jackson of Salem, NH and several nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to thank everyone for their support, especially the amazing staff and nurses of Bedford Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Bedford, NH for the loving care and kindness given our mother.

Marjorie will be fondly remembered for helping numerous friends and relatives gain unwanted weight with gifts of her homemade buttery Scotch shortbread.

Memorial contributions may be made to “The Food for the Hungry Food Bank”, Pleasant Street United Methodist Church, 8 Pleasant Street, Salem, NH 03079

Family and friends are invited to calling hours on Thursday, May 5, 2022 from 9:00 am to 11:00 am at Goundrey & Dewhirst Funeral Home, 42 Main Street, Salem, NH. A funeral service will follow calling hours at 11:00 am on Thursday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Pine Grove Cemetery, Salem. To leave an online condolence, please visit Marjorie’s tribute page at www.goundreydewhirstfuneral.com.

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