Mrs. Caroline Elizabeth Jackson

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Caroline Elizabeth Jackson. She passed away on June 29th, 2023 at the age of 64, after a brief battle with cancer. Carol leaves to mourn her passing, her loving husband of 35 years, Tom Wittig, her daughter, Karra (Matt) Ketola, and her grandson, Quinton Ketola.

Carol was born on August 22nd, 1958 in Winnipeg, MB. As a child, she spent her days on the Jackson family farm in the RM of Springfield, on the corner of 207 and Hazelridge Rd. She was an avid horse lover right from the beginning. She trained and rode the cows until her father finally conceded and bought her a pony, which she would ride to the schoolhouse at the end of the road. She was never without a horse since that day. Horses stayed a large part of Carol’s identity throughout her life.

As a teen, Carol excelled in most things academic and athletic. She played competitive basketball in high school, and despite her short stature, graduated from the Springfield Collegiate Institute in 1976 with a basketball scholarship to the University of Winnipeg. In University she received her Bachelor of Social Work and soon after, started her career with Winnipeg Child and Family Services.

On Christmas Eve in 1983, Carol met Tom and they soon fell in love. They settled into life on their 15-acre home on Oakwood Road. They married in a summer backyard wedding on June 4th, 1988 in which Carol rode in on horseback (atop her favourite horse, TC). It was remembered as a scorching day, in which Tom and Carol cut their wedding cake in bathing suits. Carol wanted nothing more than to be a mother and on September 20th 1990, she and Tom welcomed their pride and joy into the world. There was nothing more in this world Carol loved more than Karra; even horses. It was always evident in the way she spoke about Karra, how endlessly proud she was of her. Some of Carol’s last words to Karra were “You are the best thing I have ever made.”

Like most people of Ukrainian heritage, Carol loved to feed people. It was her love language. She would often be found in the kitchen, oven on, and all 4 burners going on the stove; a big pot of homemade soup ready for whoever might stop by. She also had her own unique sense of style and a love for all things vintage. She could often be found donning homemade knitted leg warmers and fringed ponchos; the more colourful the better.

Carol's career as a social worker spanned over 30+ years, during which she made numerous lifelong friendships. For Carol, social work was not a job, nor was it simply a career choice. For her, it was a calling; it was who she was. She found in social work a way to put into practice the very values that she adopted throughout her life – service to humanity and respect for people's inherent dignity and worth.

Carol's celebration of life will take place at a later date and is sure to include a homemade meal as per her request.

The family wishes to thank all of the healthcare staff at HSC for the care and comfort they provided to Carol. Special thanks and gratitude is extended to Carol's friends and family who have been supportive as we navigate this difficult time.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Carol's memory to the Humane Society, or any local pet rescue, as her love for animals was a lifelong passion.

"I love you like a rock because a rock never dies."