Lorene Minnie Hall Jackson

July 2, 1916-May 3, 2017

Lorene was born on July 2, 1916 on a farm in St. Joseph, Missouri. She grew up in Brookfield, Missouri and studied cosmetology in Kansas City. Met and married Harold Bryce "Jack" Jackson. She had a beauty shop in Kansas City called Jackie Jackson's. They moved to Los Angeles, California, spent a couple of years in Tucson, Arizona, and back to California. They transferred to Seattle in 1966 when Lockheed Aircraft Company bought McCurdy Shipyards and settled in Bellevue. After her husband died in 1969, she became an avid Garden Club member of Bella Floras and Springwood clubs, and a Welcome Wagon Hostess. She studied to become a Floral Judge in 1974, and then a Master Judge. She was a member of the Judges Council and Avant Designer Guild, and was quite active with the East Lake Washington District of Garden Clubs.

Her favorite style of flower arranging was with miniature Flower arrangements. She had learned her handwriting through the Palmer method, and fell in love with calligraphy, which she used making the signs for the Flower Shows. Lorene also worked at Market Spice Company, and for years made cat-nip balls. Lorene always made her own clothes and adjusted everything she bought because of her short stature. She was always decorating her clothes and was quite crafty. She was known for the trees made of old jewelry. At age 80, she discovered the pleasures of reading romances. She was quite enthusiastic about Nascar, Mariners and Sea Hawks.

On her 100th birthday, she was honored by a luau that became magical. Lorene greeted each one of the 80 guests with a smile and memories. There were ukulele music, Hawaiian food and Hula Dancers. And wonderful weather.

Survivors are 2 daughters, Joy Jackson and Jacki Jackson Wilburn, and son Bryce William Jackson, plus 3 grand-children Tim, Casey and Simone. Plus seven great grandchildren. During the last eight years of her life, she was entertained watching her last 2 grandsons grow up. Her favorite memory was of Andrew coming in each morning, saying "Time to get up, Grams!" With Simone and her family, Lorene was able to continue living at home for the entire time.

Please plant an orange flower in her name.