Bernice (Leavitt) Jackson

Apr. 25, 1932 – Oct. 5, 2022

Bernice (Leavitt) Jackson passed away Oct. 5, in Boise, Idaho. Bernice was born in Maiden Rock, Wis., the fourth of five children, to Cornelia "Neila" (Alexander) and William Leavitt on Apr. 25, 1932 but her birth was registered by the State of Wisconsin on May 1, 1932. The family soon moved to Quilcene, Wash. where Bernice grew up and spent most of her life. She loved to tell stories about picking berries and carrying shakes throughout Jefferson County with her parents and all the jobs they would do as a family to earn a living. She spent most of her life in Jefferson and Pierce counties before moving to Davenport, Wash. in 2001 to look after grandchildren.

Bernice was proud to be a cheerleader and graduated from Quilcene High School in 1950. It was in Quilcene at the Fisherman's Ball that she met her sweetheart, Robert E. Jackson, and they were married on May 20, 1950.

Bernice and Robert had nine children, the first eight all being boys, and the ninth child is the only girl. Although raising her family was her fulltime job, Bernice and her family spent many years delivering the Tacoma News Tribune. She loved going to the woods to get firewood for the family and some of her most favorite times were holidays spent with family and friends.

Anyone who knew Bernice knew how patriotic she was. Bernice was all about God and Country, and she took particular pride in the fact that her husband served in the Army during WWII and seven of her sons served in the military.

Besides her family, the two things Bernice loved the most were thrift store shopping and traveling. Bernice loved to travel any chance she had. She traveled to Europe and Okinawa and visited most of the fifty states including Hawaii and Alaska. She was happiest when taking a road trip with her sister Wanda and brother Gary or any of her many children and grandchildren, particularly trips to Wisconsin. Wherever she went, she would always ask anyone she met if they knew her best friend, Jesus. Bernice was quick to point out she had three birthdays, and Mar. 20, 1953, was her spiritual birthday when she accepted the Lord.

Bernice was known by many of her children, grandchildren and friends as "Mumzie," and she leaves a beautiful legacy of numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Robert E. Jackson, her sons, Patrick Jackson, Harvey Jackson, and Daniel Jackson, her four siblings, LaMoine Leavitt, LaVerle Ackerman, Wanda McCone-Olin, and Gary Leavitt, and one granddaughter, Amber Jackson.

She leaves behind five sons, Robert W. Jackson of Port Hadlock, Wash., David Jackson of Boise, Idaho, Dennis Jackson of Boise, Idaho, Jeffrey (Tamra) Jackson of Bridgeport, Wash., and Allen Jackson of Tacoma, Wash., and one daughter, Denise (Glenn) Arland of Davenport, Wash.

The family of Bernice Jackson wishes to thank all the health care providers at Cancer Care Northwest, Lincoln County Hospital, and Hospice Care. Your care, kindness and compassion did not go unnoticed.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Quilcene Museum or any other group or institution Bernice would want to support.

Celebration of Life service for Bernice Jackson, 90, will take place at the Irondale Church in Port Hadlock, Wash., Nov. 12 at 1:00PM with fellowship to follow.