Barbara May Hollard Jackson

Surrounded by loving family, Barbara Jackson passed away in Meridian, ID, after being under the care of hospice for several months. She was 93 years young. Born in Denver, CO, Barbara is preceded in death by her spouse, Allen, her parents, Lewis and Midred Hollard, younger sister, Judy, oldest son, Cary, and grandson, Miles. Barbara’s 10 grandchildren and 13 greatgrands count themselves fortunate to have been touched by Barbara’s strong and enduring love!

In her childhood, Barbara lived in several different states, as her father was in the Army Air Corps. They returned to Denver when Barbara was in high school where she met her future husband, Allen. They both attended Highland United Methodist Church where Allen’s father was pastor. Barbara and Allen were married after both attending the University of Denver. As a recipient of a Fullbright Scholarship, Allen first took Barbara to England. Barbara recalls living on tight income and riding a bike at 9 months pregnant. After the birth of their first son, Cary in England, they returned to the States. Once back in Colorado, Barbara and Allen welcomed their twins Deborah and Edward, and later, their youngest son, Fredrick, in Atlanta, GA. Barbara recalls especially looking forward to grocery shopping as that was her one outing unfettered by the 4 “blessings” all under the age of 6.

While her children were still young, Barbara returned to college and attained her BA at Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa, where her husband was Dean. Barbara recalls Sioux City being one of her least favorite locations: however, she devotedly and tirelessly dressed the children in leggings, hats, mittens, etc. to enjoy sledding and ice skating. After returning home crying, wet and miserable, the kids were dried off and fed and loved only to beg to return to the snowy outdoors.

Barbara provided a loving and full-bodied home for the family where the children enjoyed ordinary yet precious days playing Red Rover and crack-the-whip in the back yard, building forts in the woods nearby, attending the Methodist church as a family, and enjoying nightly traditions of watching family-oriented TV shows like Wild Kingdom, The Man From Uncle and Wild Wild West.

When Barbara’s kids were 12, 10 and 8, the family made a lengthy move to Montgomery, Al where Barbara became the First Lady as her husband served as President at Huntingdon College. Facing new proprieties, customs and accents particular to the deep south, Barbara bravely found her way and fulfilled this role with steadfastness and cohesion, while being the applauder of her children’s activities and achievements and of her husband’s commitment to higher education and civil rights.

After her husband retired, Barbara and he moved back to their roots in the northwest (Idaho). No sitting in the rocking chair for Barb. She became a director of New Knowledge Adventures an organization designed for adults aged 50 and older to explore new ideas, learn informally without tests, grades or college credit. She also enjoyed becoming a skilled teacher of line dancing. She mastered the skills of texting and emailing in order to stay in touch with all her children and grandchildren.

When Barbara’s children were grown and raising families, she continued to be the “glue” among the generations, advocating family reunions and continued positive, loving support and communication. Still being told and retold are stories of adventures of amazing reunions to dude ranches and other locations, where the family enjoyed fly-fishing, white-water rafting, horse riding and other outdoor activities. Evenings were filled with sing-a-longs which, in subsequent trips, evolved to karaoke. Oh Heck was the favored card game enjoyed by young and old alike. Thanks to the persistent promotion by Barbara, the story-telling of these family adventures continues to this day and forever connects generations of family.

Barabara rests in her heavenly home now and is remembered as an extraordinary, loving woman of focus, humor and joy.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Idaho Rivers United, 3380 W Americana Terrrace, Ste 140, Boise, ID 83706, The Nature Conservancy in Idaho, 116 1st Ave North, Hailey, ID 83333, or Oceans Conservancy.