Mary Jackman Unser

Mary E. Jackman Unser of Fredericksburg, Va., passed away on November 26, 2016 at her residence in Fredericksburg, Va. She is predeceased by her husband Richard Louis Unser. She is mother of Richard J. Unser (Carolyn) of Locust Grove, Va.; grandmother of Richard D. Unser (Courtney) of Hermosa Beach, CA, and Katherine U. Cantrill (Jason) of Carmichael, CA.; and great-grandmother of five. Jackie was born 2/22/1922 in Palmyra, N.Y. to Charles P. and Mabel T. Jackman. She graduated with honors from Palmyra High School and attended Keuka College, a small all-women’s college in New York State. She graduated in 1944 Phi Beta Kappa with a degree in Chemistry, and first worked as a chemist with Sterling-Winthrop in Albany, NY. It is during that time she met her husband Richard, got married, had her only child, and co-authored an article in the Journal of American Chemical Society. Later in her career, she shared her passion for science by teaching students at Westwood Middle School, in Westwood, N.J. She was always proud of her only son, Dick, his family and their many accomplishments. She loved spending her free time visiting Dick and his family around the world on his various US Air Force assignments.

She retired to Queensbury, N.Y., where she spent her time socializing with friends and would always opt in to a good game of bridge and a glass of whiskey sour. She loved to spend the holidays and summers with her son’s family visiting Lake George – riding in Grandpa’s boat, teaching the grandkids to water-ski and fish, and closing out a good “lake day” with a soft serve ice cream cone at Frank’s and a game of Monopoly, Scrabble and back yard croquet. She was an elder in the Queensbury Presbyterian Church and actively volunteered at the church as well as for the Glens Falls Hospital Guild.

Jackie moved to Fredericksburg, Va. over ten years ago to be closer to her son and daughter-in-law. Until recently, she remained social; joining her friends for meals and “red hat” outings, knitting items and playing bridge. She maintained her quick wit until the end, reminding people to call her “Jackie”.

Interment services will be held at a future date at Rural Cemetery in Albany, NY.