Carole Nancy Jackson

Carole Nancy (Hillen) Jackson, 87, of Salida, Colorado, passed away peacefully at her home on April 21, 2024, surrounded by her loved ones.

Born on May 23, 1936, in Pomona, California, to Bob and Marion Hillen (Kroger), Carole was a proud fourth-generation California girl. Her arrival was celebrated uniquely, as the receipt showed, with her mother paying five chickens for her birth. Carole grew up alongside her sister, Barbara James (Terry), and half-brother, Keith Hillen (Mary). She graduated from Pomona High School in 1954 before attending UCLA, where she earned a degree in Home Economics and minored in Sociology. This continued a family tradition of academic achievement; her grandmother was among the first women graduates of the University of Montana, and her mother graduated from Stanford School of Nursing.

Carole's legacy of love, education, and community service will forever resonate with those who knew her, leaving an indelible mark on countless lives. Throughout her 36 years in education, Carole treasured the meaningful connections she formed teaching Home Economics, Sociology, and Sex Education. She took particular pride in the fact that her classes were equally popular among both boys and girls—a testament to her inclusive teaching approach and the profound impact she had on her students. Recently, when her children posted about her declining health on her Facebook page, Carole was greatly moved by the vast outpouring of support and affection from numerous former students.

Carole met Jack Jackson, the love of her life, in an Algebra class at Pomona High School. In her high school yearbook that year, Jack thoughtfully penned "see ya' around"—and true to his word, they reconnected six years later, becoming inseparable for the next 71 years. They married on July 22, 1962, at the Wee Kirk O' the Heather Chapel in Las Vegas, NV. As mom recalled, they started life together with a '47 Ford Woody and a dixie cup full of pennies.

In addition to her teaching and family life, Carole served as an elected official on the Apple Valley Parks Board for 14 years. She was a gardener, a photographer, and a dedicated spectator at her children's and grandchildren’s sports events. A lover of baseball, Carole enjoyed keeping the scorebook at games and was a legendary heckler, making games miserable for umpires, opposing teams, and occasionally the home team and coach. Cooking also remained a joy throughout her life.

Carole's true passions, besides her family, were the ocean and the Mojave Desert. She cherished countless days spent on the beaches of Southern California, trips to Hawaii, and time at their quaint coastal retreat near Colonet, Baja California. Additionally, Carole and Jack adored their beloved ranch in the Providence Mountains within the Mojave National Preserve. This serene location served as the starting point for many of their adventures exploring nearby ghost towns and casinos in Nevada. They often chose the scenic route, favoring dusty dirt roads with the windows rolled down, allowing Carole's iconic blonde ponytail to flutter freely in the breeze.

Carole is survived by her son, Jeff Jackson and his wife Karen of Eagle, Idaho; her daughter, Julie Jackson Bernard and her husband Peter of Salida, Colorado; grandchildren Jason and his wife Brooke of Star, Idaho, Jake and his girlfriend Emily of Eagle, Idaho, and grandsons Jack and Josh Bernard of Salida, Colorado. She also leaves behind a great-granddaughter, Jolene, who had the cherished opportunity to meet Carole shortly before her passing.

Carole's passing is deeply felt by her extensive circle of family and friends. In accordance with her wishes, there will be no formal service; instead, a small family gathering will celebrate her remarkable life. Her ashes, along with those of her beloved Jack in the future, will be scattered over Table Mountain, overlooking their ranch, in a private family ceremony.

In lieu of flowers, Carole hoped for donations to be made to a charity of your choosing, reflecting her passion for numerous causes and her wish to continue making a positive impact.

See ya' around, Mom.

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