KATHLEEN ANN JACKSON June 20, 1947 – Sept. 30, 2016
Kathleen Ann Jackson died on September 30, 2016 in Bellingham, Washington, from complications of polycythemia vera, a rare blood disorder.
Kathleen was born June 20, 1947 in Seattle, Washington, and spent her childhood and early life in the Seattle area. As a child, she distinguished herself as an artist, bookworm and independent thinker, traits she retained for life. She was a 1965 graduate of Sammamish High School in Bellevue, Washington. After working as a hairdresser and attending community college for several years, Kathleen entered the University of Washington, where she studied engineering, computer science and physics.
Her hairdressing career came to an abrupt end when she secured a work-study job in the University’s physics lab, and, in 1976, she graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering. Kathleen then joined the Boeing Aerospace Division in Kent, Washington,doing attitude control on satellites.
In 1983,she moved to Los Alamos, New Mexico,to work at the Los Alamos National Laboratory in computer security. Following her retirement from the Laboratory in 2002, she moved to Silver City, New Mexico, where she enjoyed the art scene and volunteering at the library. In 2007, she returned to Los Alamos, volunteering at the Bradbury Science Museum, enjoyinghiking and long walks with her dogs in the surrounding mountains and taking in the cultural activities of nearby Santa Fe. In 2015,Kathleen rediscovered the joysof rain, good seafood and the Pacific Northwest when she moved to the Fairhaven District of Bellingham, Washington, where she lived until her death.
Kathleen was preceded in death by her parents, Hewitt R. and Jane A. Jackson, and by sisters Margaret Gabert and Helen Jackson. She is survived by her twin sister Eileen Dvorak of Chelan, Washington, sister Mary Frances Jackson of Seattle, brother Paul Jackson of Livermore, California, and extended family. At Kathleen’s request, there will be no memorial service. Friends and family may wish to make a donation in her name to the MPN Research Foundation for blood cancers.
