Remembering Janet Jackson: A Life of Compassion and Service
Janet Jackson, a dedicated chaplain who provided support to the bereaved in the north-east of England, passed away at the age of 79. Born in Bradford, West Yorkshire, Janet spent over a decade as the lead chaplain at St Oswald’s Hospice in Newcastle upon Tyne. She later established a bereavement service for Tynedale Hospice at Home in Hexham, Northumberland, where she continued to offer comfort and guidance to those facing life crises.
Growing up as one of seven children in a family of bakers, Janet attended Bolling girls’ grammar school in Bradford. She met her future husband, Michael Jackson, at a young age and they married in 1966. After living in London and Hong Kong, they returned to the UK. Janet worked as an office administrator while raising their family, and Michael transitioned from a civil engineer to a Church of England priest in 1984.
In her 30s, Janet pursued a social work qualification from Newcastle Polytechnic and worked as a social worker for Durham county council. Following a calling to the Church of England ministry, she completed an ordination course in Durham and served as a curate at Westerhope, Newcastle upon Tyne. Janet found her true calling as the lead chaplain at St Oswald’s, where she provided spiritual care to the dying and offered training to medical students and clergy on the importance of spiritual support.
Upon retiring from St Oswald’s in 2007, Janet moved to Hexham and established a bereavement service at Tynedale Hospice at Home. She also founded Rainbows, a group supporting children who have lost siblings, and Forever Parents, a resource for parents coping with grief. Janet's dedication to helping those who have experienced loss was recognized in 2019 when she was awarded a British Empire Medal for her services.
Janet is survived by her husband Michael, their children Becky, Mike, Emma, and Di, as well as grandchildren Jo, Ellis, Yasmin, Lily, Lal, Lola, and Joanie. Janet's legacy of compassion and support for the bereaved will continue to impact the lives of many in the community she served.