Obituary of Helen Marie Jackson
– Helen Marie Jackson was born October 7, 1933 to John and Ruth Cochran in Orange, California. She was the 11th of 13 children. Helen is preceded in death by her parents, 11 of her siblings, her infant son Larry, her daughter Janet, 2 great-grandsons, and most recently her late husband of 71 years, Don. She is survived by her daughter Jackie and son in law Joseph, 7 grandchildren, 3 grandson-in-laws and 1 granddaughter-in-law, 20 great-grandchildren, plus 16 double greats. Also by her sister Betty Montgomery of Athens, Texas, and many nieces and nephews.
After graduating from Huntington High she went to spend time in Kansas with her sister Betty helping watch her children. She returned home and married the love of her life Donald Jackson in Yuma Arizona in 1953. She then went to work for Hughes Aircraft as an assembler. In 1965 they moved with their two daughters to Camarillo, California where Helen started what would become her 35 year career in Accounts Payable. She first worked for Haven and Son Ranches, then later worked for Playtex, and Pleasant Valley Hospital until 2000. In that year her family moved up to Paso Robles, California where Helen continued in A/P starting with Central Coast Gases/Aeris, Inc., then retiring with the present owner Matheson Tri-Gas, Inc. in 2012.
Growing up in a big family she learned to cook for an army as she would say. She loved to prepare big meals for family and friends, and was always open to taking requests, especially from her grandchildren. She enjoyed going on cruises, traveling, and loved to attend her family reunions. Some of Helen’s favorite things were, owls, butterflies, weeping willow trees, and ocean waves, the choppier the waves the better the show.
Helen was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in the summer of 1970 at Dodger Stadium. She was regular in the ministry for the many years that followed working in the door to door service volunteering to share good news with her neighbors. She joined her local group of sisters on Wednesdays for as long as her health let her, until she started letter writing to reach those she no longer could. She also enjoyed traveling over the years to attend regional conventions with her sisters and their families.
Over the years she endured many often unspoken health issues with such personal strength, determination and support from family. At 91 she succumbed to the very sudden and unwelcome enemy Cancer and passed away at home, July 21st, 2025 surrounded by loved ones.
A memorial service will be celebrated on Saturday, August 30, at 2 p.m. at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses located at 2901 Gilead Way in Paso Robles.
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