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Hanover, NH, Norwich, VT and neighboring towns

updated May 28, 2006    Home Page >> About the League >> League Biographies

Members Remembered

Members of the LWVUV have made significant contributions to the community as well as to the League. This page contains a biography of one who has died in 2006.
2001 and earlier 2002 2003 2004-2005 2006

Alice Jackson 1918-2006

Resolution in honor of Alice Jackson

Resolution offered at Hanover Town Meeting by Ruth Ann Groh speaking for the League of Women Voters
Tuesday, May 09, 2006

Alice Jackson, a community leader in the fields of public health, care of the environment and the education of children died at the age of 87 on April 15, 2006.  She and her husband, the late Dr. Raymond S. Jackson, had lived in Hanover since 1966. During her lifetime, because of her volunteer efforts and leadership, Alice was honored by seven different organizations from 1987-2005.*

Her efforts to promote environmental awareness in Hanover and the Upper Valley are almost legendary. She helped to organize our "Green-Up" Day and our town and school Recycling Committees—and remained active with both until the end of her life--not just as a leader, but also as a hands-on volunteer on collection days. On a regional basis she helped to organize the Household Hazardous Waste Collection.

The Bernice A. Ray School's children and staff have been very fortunate to have Alice Jackson as a volunteer since 1970, the year the school was built. Her volunteer work in our school began with her involvement in developing the Nature Trail behind the school. She quickly moved into working with a second and third grade co-operative teaching class. She was instrumental in designing and developing unique and clever methods of teaching children in the areas of reading, spelling, math and science. Alice used hands-on activities in all areas of the curriculum and was especially talented in helping children with skills they found difficult. She designed and produced flash cards, board games, crossword puzzles and wrote skits to help the children understand and master these skills. All the children were eager to be with Mrs. Jackson.

Alice helped with the second and third grade garden project and even weeded and gathered the vegetables throughout the summer. She would freeze the vegetables so that she could use them in the fall when she would make, with the children, her very famous soup recipe that she created called "Dolch Word Vegetable Soup". This became a popular treat each fall for all the second and third grade students and teachers. 

Another aspect of Alice's work at the Ray School was her involvement with the third grade Japanese Festival. It was one of her joys!! She taught the Tea Ceremony to every third grade student for years. When children from past years bumped into Alice, they always mentioned remembering the Tea Ceremony.

She had just finished working with this year's third grade class in preparation for the Japanese Festival when she was hospitalized.  Alice's dedication to the children of the Bernice A. Ray School was endless. She was a mentor, an educational partner and a very special friend. We will miss her.

Alice personified the idea that good things come in small packages.  Her widespread influence and effect on people came about through her gentle persuasiveness and unassuming manner. She was one of the most self-effacing persons we knew. She always gave credit to her committee, to others, and shied away from any aggrandizement.

In the League of Women Voters, too, she was known for her soups.  As chair of our Natural Resources Committee, she provided her committee members with lunch, and looked after each and every person.  Along with this nurturing manner went an openness to criticism and a rigorous intellect. Alice had the ability to lead by example, to let everyone have a chance to share their thoughts and skillfully bring the committee to a conclusion all agreed with.

How did she find the time and energy to do all that she did?  I think this will remain a mystery.  Alice was a genuine team player, willing, in her quiet, cheerful and intelligent way, to take on whatever menial chores needed to be done. While she was living many of us saw only one facet of Alice's good works and did not realize the extent of her involvement in other activities.

Lee Udy, Elaine Hawthorne, Suzanna Liepmann, Kim Perez, and Charlotte Faulkner contributed to this tribute which was edited by Ruth Ann Groh.


Remarks prepared for the LWVNH 75th Birthday Celebration in April 1993

"The League of Women Voters has always been blessed by wonderful members.  We in the Upper Valley feel we have been doubly blessed and more by many outstanding persons to whom we are indebted, but the contributions of one of our members merit her recognition on this occasion.  We wish to share with all of you our regard and respect for Alice Jackson.

"Alice has been a member of our League for over 25 years and has served on our Board almost continuously.  As best as I can tell, she has chaired the Natural Resources Committee for about 15 years.  Her involvement in that area will come as no surprise to you since now we share her talents with the State League in the same capacity.  Her efforts to promote environmental awareness in Hanover and the Upper Valley are almost legendary.  She helped to organize our "Green-Up" Day and our Recycling Committee—and remains active with both.  On a regional basis she also helped to organize the Household Hazardous Waste Collection.  In fact, yesterday morning when I went to recycle our glossy magazines, who was there but Alice cheerfully informing everyone of the "Spring Toxics Collection and Paint Swap" next week!  She has also been involved in helping the Connecticut River Riverwatch Network.  She and her committee were instrumental in the plans for starting environmental shopping tours in the Upper Valley.  And the list goes on.

"In 1988 Alice was named Hanover Co-Citizen of the Year for her activities that I have already enumerated, plus other contributions to the community.  She has volunteered for over 20 years at our elementary school in the areas of science and language arts where her creativity, dedication and expertise have been of great value.  The children who regard her as a special friend have been exposed by her to environmental concerns by such things as the Nature Trail and composting.   She was the force behind creating curriculum resources for the Regional Center for Educational Services. 

"When you hear of all these accomplishments, you might expect to find that Alice might have a large ego.  Not so.  She is one of the most self-effacing persons I know.  She always gives credit to her committee, to others, and shies away from any aggrandizement.  In her quiet, cheerful and intelligent way, she is always there doing things for the community and the League.  She works tirelessly and is really passionate about what she believes in. 

"Please join the Upper Valley League in honoring Alice Jackson."
(By Lee Udy)


*Alice Jackson received numerous awards for her volunteer efforts, including:
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