Jennifer Jackson

Born April 24, 1972 – Died June 2, 2017 Jennifer Rebecca Luke Jackson has returned to her heavenly home 45 years after Robert and Eileen Luke rejoiced at her arrival in Orange County, California on April 24, 1972. The oldest of five children, Jennifer grew up in Seattle, Washington, a place she loved for its fun cultural vibe and year-round greenery, though not for its often dreary weather. Jennifer instead preferred warm, sunny days, in keeping with her warm, sunny personality. She was a friend to all, and brought light into the lives of all the souls she touched with her generous spirit and selfless acts of service. As a child, Jenni set the example for her younger sisters and brother. In school, she excelled in anything related to art and design. Her younger siblings would be tormented by teachers holding up Jenni’s work years later as an example of the “perfect” project for other students to follow. Not surprisingly for one so gifted in design, Jennifer pursued a career in architecture, earning her Master of Architecture degree from the University of Oregon in 1998, and going on to work as a project architect and medical planner for firms in Washington, DC; Salt Lake City, Utah; and Charlottesville, Virginia. Jennifer specialized in designing hospitals and other medical facilities, and worked on several multi-million dollar projects, including at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland; the University of Virginia Health System in Charlottesville; and the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. She also taught for several years at the prestigious Corcoran College of Art + Design. Although she was proficient in computer-aided design, Jennifer was a proud member of a dwindling cadre of architects that still knew how to draft by hand, and she always brought a sketch-artist’s eye to her work. To say that Jennifer was also active in her church and in the community would be a profound understatement. She was a do-it-all, give-everything, help-everyone kind of person. She served three times as the Relief Society President (the head of the local Mormon women’s organization) and was for three years the PTA President at Randolph Elementary School in Arlington, Virginia. She also served for six years on Arlington County’s Advisory Council on School Facilities and was a vocal advocate for public schools. In her honor, the Randolph PTA has created the Jennifer Luke Jackson Community Service Award, to be given at the Fifth Grade Promotion ceremony to a student with an especially big heart and generous spirit like Jennifer’s. Notwithstanding her professional, church, and community accolades, Jennifer’s proudest legacy will always be her three children: Ethan (11), Victoria (8), and Katherine (5). Everything she did as a mother was devoted to ensuring that her children would grow up to be kind, loving, diligent, and devoted to following the example of Jesus Christ. Never judgmental of others, Jennifer truly lived a Christlike life, and has now gone to be with Him in eternal peace. Jennifer Rebecca Luke Jackson, age 45 of Alexandria, VA died at her residence on Friday, June 2, 2017. Survivors include her husband Christopher D. Jackson; her children Ethan, Victoria and Katherine Jackson; her parents Robert and Eileen Luke; a brother Jonathan Luke and her sisters Juliann Luke Law, Shannon Luke Davidson and Melissa Luke Aldridge. The family will receive friends on Friday, June 9, 2017 from 6:30 PM until 8:30 PM at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 3900 Howard Street, Annandale, Va. 22003 where funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 10, 2017 at 10:00 AM. Interment Fairfax Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers donations in memory of Jennifer Jackson can be made to Conquer Cancer Foundation at conquer.org.

Jennifer Jackson

April 24, 1972 - June 2, 2017