Obituary of Mary Ellyn Jackman

Mary Ellyn "Maggie" Jackman, age 72, of Chapel Hill, NC, died Thursday, November 3, 2016, at Hillcrest Convalescent Home, Durham, NC. She is survived by her beloved husband, Lawrence Stanley Jackman, whom she married on October 28, 1990, at Fairview Lake. Born October 19, 1944, in Newark, NJ, Maggie was the daughter of the late Llewellyn and Ruth B. (Branning) Harries. She was a graduate of State College High School and earned her Bachelor Degree from Penn State University. She worked in the insurance industry for twenty years, including Travelers Insurance, Marsh and McClennan and Mutual of Omaha. She was also a certified ombudsman for the New York State Office of Aging in their long-term care ombudsman program. A longtime resident of Fairview Lake, Maggie had also lived in Katona and Armonk, NY. Her happiest years, however, were spent with Larry, her daughter Jenifer, three dogs and two cats in Sitka, AK, where she reveled in the beauty of her surroundings and loved watching the bald eagles. Maggie had a wide range of interests, including the culture of indigenous people and photography. She was a gifted artist in arts and crafts, creating dolls, bears and miniatures. She loved all animals, but especially dogs. A world traveler, her favorite journey was her trip to Italy where she was able to view rare books and documents in the basement of the Vatican. Of high moral character, Maggie was a loving, vibrant, classy advocate for those in need, children, the elderly and animals. She was an absolutely wonderful mother and wife. In addition to her husband, she will also be dearly missed by her two daughters: Holly Breslin and Jenifer Sandonato, her two step-children: Alice and Mark Jackman; five grandchildren: Alec, Nicholas, Andrew and Megan Breslin and Rosalie Sandonato; and her cousin: Jack Branning and his family. There will be a Graveside Service on Friday, November 11, at 11:30 AM at Green Gates Cemetery, 1020 Hudson St, Hawley. Donations in Maggie's memory may be made to Alzheimer's Association Eastern North Carolina Chapter, 3739 National Drive, Suite 110, Raleigh, NC 27612 or go to http://www.alz.org/nc/.