Martha Ann "Jackie" Brown |
| Posted 2025-09-11 by Pat R |
| Wickenburg Sun (Wickenburg, Arizona) Wednesday, March 29, 2023, p. A-6 Martha Ann "Jackie" Brown was born May 27, 1943, on Long Island (Copiague), New York to the late Alfred and Ruth (Brinkman) Klatz. Jackie entered into eternal rest on March 20, 2023, in Surprise. She is survived by Ron, her husband of 41 years. Jackie was raised on Long Island, New York. At the age of 7, she and her brothers Martin and Tommy were separated from their mother and entered into the foster care system. Because of this experience, which included abuse, Jackie persevered and learned conduct and survival skills. Despite many obstacles, Jackie thrived. In 1961, Jackie graduated from Levittown Division Avenue High School and went on to attend Pace College in New York City for a short time. After high school, Jackie moved around and worked as an EKG Technician. Although her legal name was Martha, most knew her as Jackie. This nickname was given to her in the mid-'60s when many of her friends started calling her Jackie because she looked like Jackie Kennedy. Jackie shared the story of being asked by strangers if she was Jackie Kennedy and on one occasion, she was riding on the bus when a stranger asked and she replied, "If I was, would I be riding a bus?" In the early 1980s, Jackie went to visit a friend in Hawaii. While there, she met Ron, who happened to be the friend's next door neighbor. Ron was in Hawaii on Navy military duty. Ron and Jackie hit it off and Jackie moved from New York to Hawaii where she and Ron were married in Honolulu on December 12, 1981. Jackie felt blessed to have a good husband and the advantages of being a military spouse. Ron's duty stations took them to South Korea where Jackie taught Kindergarten for the Department of Defense. She also taught English at the War College and the Korean Navy Academy. While in Korea, Jackie was also president of the Navy Wives Club in Chinhae. After the Navy brought Ron and Jackie back to California, Jackie worked for Longs Drugs as an immigration I-9 specialist, helping to bring pharmacists to the U.S. during a shortage in the States. In 2004, Ron and Jackie saw change in the culture in California. As a retired military couple looking toward the future, continued rising prices and rent presented a bleak outlook on living well and home ownership in California. Jackie's friend from Hawaii had moved with her husband to Arizona, and Ron and Jackie had met a fiduciary who lived and worked in Scottsdale who brightened their hopes for the future. In 2005, they visited Arizona and ultimately moved to Wickenburg in 2006. Jackie became very involved in church and community activities. She loved St. Alban's Episcopal Church. She was the president of the Episcopal Church Women (ECW) for a few years. She was instrumental in the success of the ECW Holiday Bazaar every year, helping with sewing and crafting days. Jackie had a special passion for helping families in need and often helped organize food and gifts for the ECW Christmas families. Jackie enjoyed people. She never met a stranger and was a good friend to many. Jackie had a special attraction for anyone who was, like her, from New York. Jackie learned the importance of hard work at an early age and carried a strong work ethic with her. She learned to try and try again until she got it right. She had a great center of gravity. Jackie had a passion for travel and felt blessed that she and Ron were able to visit many destinations. She once said that she would like to fit the places that she had visited into the 1962 Hank Snow song "I've Been Everywhere Man, I've Been Everywhere." Jackie explored life with curiosity and was inspired by those closest to her. She was tenacious at times. She was not shy when it came to giving advice. If you were willing to listen, she was willing to give it. Jackie loved the Lord and was strong in her faith. She loved life and found joy in helping friends celebrate all of life's precious moments. Jackie loved to attend a good party, she was lively and fun. She enjoyed finding a good deal and loved a good yard sale. Jackie passed away after a courageous battle with cancer. She is survived by her husband, Ron; nephews, Martin and Danny Blackwell; nieces, Beth Blackwell and Christine Sorbello; and sister-in-law, Pat Blackwell. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brothers, Martin and Tommy. A Memorial Service will be held at St. Alban's Episcopal Church in Wickenburg on Saturday, April 1 at 1 p.m. A reception will follow in the Parish Hall. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to St. Alban's Episcopal Church Women, 357 W. Yavapai Street, Wickenburg, AZ 85390 or Las Senoras, P.O. Box 2252, Wickenburg, AZ 85358. |
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