Mary Ann Jackson

Mary Ann Jackson

1940 ~ 2016

Mary Ann Jackson, 75 of Twin Falls, passed away February 23, 2016 at Twin Falls Ctr. in Twin Falls Idaho.

Mary Ann was born in Vinita, Oklahoma, a little town in Northeast Oklahoma May 15, 1940.

She was the daughter of Don L and Helen Jackson. Right after Mary Ann was born, World War II broke out and her Mom and Dad were forced to leave her with relatives, as they moved to take jobs near Seattle, Washington at the Port.  Her dad took a job as a machinist, and worked on the Navy ships coming in and out of port and her mother was secretary to the Commandant of the naval base.

Mary Ann was a precocious two-year-old, and one day while singing Happy Birthday to her grandma, she noticed a chicken walking by, and instead of dear grandma, out popped,” dear chucken” (chicken). Just after this, her dad and mom came back and got her to take her to be with them. As a small child she had two little goats, named Jack and Jill, a Banty rooster and a hen.. This afforded the family the ability to have milk and eggs.  In 1947, one day before Mary Ann’s 7th birthday, her little sister Ruth was born. Mary Ann always called Ruth, her birthday present.

After the war, her dad opened up a shop to do mechanics.  But due to the enormous amount of men returning from the war, and jobs being scarce he was forced to leave and find work. The family moved first to Greenberg, Kansas, then to Holcomb, Kansas.

As a child Mary Ann never lived in one place for more than 2 ½ to 3 years. The family moved to Meeker, Colorado where Mary Ann graduated from High School in 1957. She then went on to attend Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado where she received a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Sciences with a Minor in Biology.  During her college career, she joined the Swan club and was a synchronized swimmer. It was one of the great joys of her collegiate career.


In 1961, she was invited to join an expedition called Teachers for East Africa.  Only 20 individuals were invited to join this expedition. They were trained in New York, and then went on to London where they received grammar training as well as travel abroad.  The House of Commons gave a dinner in their honor, and then it was off to Africa. While she was there she taught for two years in Tanzania.  Her students were girls and she formed them all into a choir and taught them to sing a cappella. They were invited to entertain on the local radio station which was an honor.

Upon her return she brought back many original artifacts from Africa. A machete, a handmade cushion, a basket, spear, and hand woven fabric native to the people that she taught. These will be donated to the Herrett’s Center at CSI in Twin Falls.

Upon her return from Africa, she went to England and due to the climate change nearly froze to death. She purchased a coat while there that has lasted her forever, through all the Idaho winters.

Mary Ann returned home to Kansas, and resided there for two years where she was able to see her sister graduate from high school.

In 1965, she began work on her Master's Degree at the University of Wyoming. At this time she owned a scooter that she drove all over campus. One day, (the year was 1967) while passing her professor, he motioned for her to stop. She spun around and went back to speak to him, at which time he told her she had passed all of her testing, had a 300%, did not need to do anymore and that she had received her Master’s degree. 

After graduation and receiving her MS, she was hired by the College of Southern Idaho as an Associate Professor of Physics.  She met her future boss at Little America, which was half way for both of them to travel. The interview went well, she was 26 years old and she remained at CSI until she retired. She absolutely loved Idaho and due to her talent, her courses were being taught at the local high school at night.  During her long and distinguished career, she received several impressive awards, including but not limited to, Who’s Who among the Best Teachers as chosen by the Best Students, Personalities of the West and Midwest for outstanding service to community and State and also an Appreciation Award for Serving as Trustee for the Kimberly, Idaho School Board from 1984 ~ 1988.  

 In 1966, Mary Ann married Dale Fisher. Mary Ann gave birth to a son, Owen Karl Jackson.  When Owen was five, she and Dale divorced.

Mary Ann was demure, quiet and did not brag on herself.  As a child growing up in Holcomb, Kansas, her father was part of the Masonic order, so Mary Ann became a Rainbow Girl, and later served as a member of the Order of Eastern Star. The family attended the Garden City First Christian church, in Garden City, Kansas and this is where Mary Ann was baptized.  She was a deeply spiritual and religious individual.

 Mary Ann’s hobbies were varied, she was a member of the book club and she and her husband members of the Snake River Car Club.  Mary Ann was very proud of her son, Owen who joined the Marines and served his country.

Mary Ann is survived by her sister, Ruth Lee Jackson of La Harpe, KS, two cousins, Bill Owens of Humboldt, Kansas and Margie Jackson (Ralph) Lee of Humboldt, Kansas and her son, Owen Karl Jackson of Twin Falls, Idaho.

At Mary Ann’s request, cremation will take place and no formal services will be held.

All arrangements are under the direction of Parke’s Magic Valley Funeral Home of Twin Falls, Idaho.

Those wishing to share memories and condolences may do so on Mary Ann’s website, at www.magicvalleyfuneralhome.com.