Theresa Jeanne Vigilant Jackson

Theresa Jackson nee Vigilant, affectionately known as Ma Jackson, was born on Februry 5th, 1930 in the village of Castle Bruce, located on the North Eastern shores of Dominica, a small paradise with a population of 70,000 in the lesser antilles.

She received a primary school education and unlike her two daughters, who successfully pursued a career in Nursing, hers was abrubtly curtailed. Upon the advice of her mother, she became a seamstress apprentice, an occupation that served her well the rest of her active life. She then moved to the capital city of Roseau, where she met and married William Jackson Sr., who fathered seven of her eight children, two of whom died in infancy. A loss she painfully bore all her life.

In Roseau she used her mastery of sewing, embroidery, crochet and knitting to supplement the family's income. She was a skilled seamtress and worked without compensation on many occassion. With eight mouths to feed, our parents could certainly benefit from the extra earnings. Nevertheless, mama would always say "God will provide, and money is not everything."

After her children were grown, she was employed by the Dominica Industrial Development Corporation as janitor. Her former boss, Peter Azille, who is present with us today, asserts that "she was not just a janitor, she was a mother to us all."

She also had the gift to turn a skimpy pot into a gourmet delight, sufficient to serve the family and others in need. Raising her kids was a priority, to the extent that she willingly passed up the opportunity to serve as seamstress for the largest business enterprise on the island. Notwithstanding its many challenges, she was a fierce protector and give her all to raise her children. She was also called "second mother" to kids whose homes were outside city limits, and took up residence with us for the benefit of a higher education. Our brother Alvin refers to that service as " a bridge..."

While literally being the woman of Proverbs 31, she was active in her church community by holding membership in various Catholic Women's organization including: The Social league of Catholic Women, The Sacred Heart Society, The Mount Carmel Society, and the Roseau Cathedral Choir where she sang soprano.  

She had a deep spiritual love for the Blessed Virgin Mary throughout her life. The magnitude of her daily devotion to the Queen of the Holy Rosary, particularly, praying the 15 decades of the Holy Rosary for the Holy Souls in Purgatory, was a singular grace from God, and Heaven's Glory. Her daily attendance at early morning mass to recieve her beloved eucharistic Jesus (Her Spouse) was her deepest yearning. Her frequent visit to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, for her, was time well spent, that filled her soul with an inexplicable joy. She lived and continues in the heavenly realm to be a good soldier of Christ.  She is "A CHOSEN ONE."

By virtue of her upbringing and love of God in Jesus Christ, she was dedicated to service. She volunteered at the infirmary. With grace, she extended care and assistance to the outcast, and those without family or resources.

In 1990, she migrated to the United States with her daughter, Pamela. Yeadon became their home for the next 36 years. During that period of time, she was a devout member of the Catholic Community of St.Louis Church in Yeadon.

She departed this life on March 13th, 2026 at her home, surrounded by her children. She will be missed. Theresa was proceeded in death by her parents, two infant children, and her husband. She is survived by her children: Henry, Thora, William Jr (Rossie), Alvin, Kelvin (Anne), Pamela, and two adopted sons , Edison in Antigua and Francis in St. Croix. Sixteen grandchildren, and fourteen great grandchildren.

We wish to thank all who have so generously supported us throughout her brief illness and the period of bereavement. Included, is the staff of Fitzgerald Mercy Hospital on 4 Main and the Step down unit on 5 Main. We also wish to thank and acknowledge Mayor Rohan Hepkins of Yeadon for the dignity of a police escort, and the honor of a proclamation bestowed upon our mother.

Relatives and friends are invited to her funeral services as follows:

Viewing: Saturday, March 28, 2026, from 9:30-10:45 am, at Saint Louis Roman Catholic Church, 801 W Cobbs Creek Pkwy, Yeadon, PA 19050.

Funeral Mass: Saturday, March 28, 2026, from 11:00 am, at Saint Louis Roman Catholic Church.

Burial: Holy Cross Cemetery, Yeadon, PA.

To watch services, click this link: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/ekk9towu12tcpdk8az81u/Theresa-Jackson-Service.mp4?rlkey=dvjbpg4uioe6ljcieir0sb37b&st=c8j89etr&dl=0