In Memoriam: Debbie Jackson
Deborah L. Jackson, age 73, passed away peacefully on Dec. 5, 2025, in Bellingham. Born in Seattle on June 3, 1952, she touched the hearts of all who knew her with her kindness, generosity, and unconditional love.
After graduating from high school in North Vancouver, she attended Western Washington University where she met the love of her life, Hollis, and married in 1975. They moved to Southern California while Hollis pursued his doctorate. Debbie and Hollis loved to travel and were able to visit South America, Europe and many National Parks.
After returning to Bellingham, she and Hollis started a family in 1981. They built a life together filled with love and adventure. Debbie’s career included working with the campaign for Congressman Al Swift. This afforded Debbie an opportunity to work at the Washington State Legislature in Olympia for seven years while commuting from Bellingham.
In September 2001, she began working at Western Washington University in the Student Activities/Viking Union Administration offices. Debbie had found her passion. She enjoyed the dynamic student-focused environment and considered her coworkers and students like family. Debbie retired from Western in January 2015 to continue raising her grandchildren.
In her 15 years on campus, Debbie made a profound impact on her peers and colleagues.
"I am fortunate to have worked directly with Debbie during her time at Western in the Office of Student Life up to her retirement and her brief return post-retirement to help out in a pinch. She was consistently a warm and caring professional and helped countless students who were in difficult and challenging situations," said Michael Sledge, the dean of Student Life at Western. "She often consoled students who needed to withdraw by telling them 'once a Viking, always a Viking,' and she will be missed."
WWU Health and Community Studies Instructor Christina Van Wingerden remembered Jackson as a shining star who was brilliant, kind, and full of compassion.
"Her legacy will live on because of the person she was and her care and belief in others achieving their dreams," Van Wingerden said.
WWU Honors College Program Manager Kate Stevenson said she was fortunate to work with Debbie Jackson for 7 years at the Viking Union.
"Debbie was the welcoming face for staff and students each day in the Viking Union. She was a resource of knowledge and support to the students, an anchor for the administration, and the heart of our VU community. She led with warmth, kindness, and empathy and taught us all (through example) how to be better versions of ourselves. For many of us, she was far more than just a colleague," Stevenson said. "We knew each other’s families, we celebrated birthdays, weddings, babies, and graduations together. We hugged, laughed, and cried together and supported each other through things at work and outside of work. Debbie was a beautiful human being and will be cherished forever."
Debbie was a devoted wife, mom, grandma, daughter and sister, always putting others before herself. Her passion for her family, most of all her grandkids, who she raised and loved to the moon and back. Both grandchildren are currently in college.
Her work in service to others, gardening, photography, sewing, reading and kindness to others inspired everyone around her.
Debbie’s love for family and life was infectious, sparking creativity and curiosity in those around her. Her kindness and gentle encouragement uplifted everyone she met, reminding them of the good in the world and the importance of caring for each other.
Debbie is survived by Hollis, her husband of over 50 years; her daughter Juliette; her grandchildren, Alex and Chloe; her brother Jeff and sister Jenny (Mark); nieces and nephews, and a wide circle of friends who will forever cherish her memory. She was preceded in death by her father, Roald “Andy” Anderson, her mom, Julie “Chic” Anderson, and her brother Mark Anderson.
A Celebration of Life for Debbie will be held from 1-4 p.m. on Feb. 7, at the Elks' Lodge, 710 Samish Way in Bellingham.
Family and friends are invited to gather and share stories, laughter, and memories in honor of the lasting impact Debbie had on her community of loved ones.