Helen Jackson
June 15, 1928 – Aug. 3, 2021
Longtime Homer resident, Helen Jackson passed away peacefully on Aug. 3, at the age of 93.
Helen was born on June 15, 1928, to Paul and Vera (Artlip) Lonneke in Hinsdale, Illinois. She grew up in Battle Creek, Michigan and, after her graduating from high school, attended the East Cleveland Training School for Nurses.
Helen came to Homer in August of 1957 with the Wisdom-Knowledge-Faith-Love (WKFL) Fountain of the World, a humanitarian service organization. The group was also known as the Barefooters to the people of Homer. As a member, she was known as Sister Neria and served as a schoolteacher and nurse for the group. She tended to typical day to day wounds and delivered numerous babies into the “Fountain.” She and other members of the WKFL lived in Homer as the homestead buildings were built at the head of Kachemak Bay.
In March of 1960, Helen married fellow WKFL member RB Jackson.
When the WKFL disbanded, Helen’s spirit of service continued. She served on the Homer Community Library Board of Directors and the Homer Parent Teachers Association. Helen also served Homer’s Volunteer Fire Department as a member of the women’s auxiliary. While serving, she was instrumental in collecting an estimated five million Betty Crocker coupons for the purpose of purchasing a new fire truck.
Helen maintained an extensive written and photographic record of the WKFL and enjoyed sharing her collection, serving as a valuable resource for many articles and books written about the WKFL and Homer. In addition to these contributions, Helen and her husband, RB, were honored to also contribute items related to Homer’s history to the Pratt Museum.
Helen worked as the district recorder in the Homer office for more than 17 years, where her meticulous attention to detail served Homer and the surrounding communities well. After her retirement, she spent countless hours crocheting shawls for “the old folks” at Homer’s Long-Term Care and hundreds of baby blankets and hats that she donated for South Peninsula Hospital.
During the last decade of her life, Helen was blessed by the compassionate volunteer spirit of Susan Pacillo. Helen’s family would like to thank Susan for the years of selfless care and friendship she gave to their mother.
Helen was preceded in death by her husband, RB Jackson and her son, Arnan “AJ” Jackson.
She is survived by her brother, James Lonneke, her sister, Paula Sweet, and her children: Alinda and Jack Brodigan, Kathy Piecuch, Aaron and Crystal Jackson, Konrad and Mary Jackson, Anna Marie Jackson, and daughter in-law, Marcy Jackson, as well as many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
