Mary Ellen "Midge" Jacks

In loving memory of our mother, Mary Ellen Jacks a.ka. Midge.   She passed away peacefully on December 5, 2017 aged 88 years young. We celebrated her life with family and friends December 10th, 2017. We shared photographs and memories.  Thank you to all the attendees for the gift of your presence.

She was born February 8, 1929 in Detroit, Michigan to Henry and Edith Williams.  She resided at her parents' home until marriage.  She is survived by her children, their spouses and seven grandchildren, her brother William "Bill" Williams and cousin Ellen.   Her family roots are in Missouri where prior to her birth both parents were born and raised.   They were part of the northward migration to better paying jobs around the auto industry.

She and our father met in high school where she tried to help him with Spanish.  She played on the basketball team, graduated and later was a secretary at the University of Detroit. She and Dad married on September 10, 1949.  She joined him in Ann Arbor for his sophomore year at the University of Michigan.

Subsequent to college they lived in Warren, Michigan. While Dad worked at the General Motors Technical Center. Mother believed in education and provided support and encouragement to her husband while he pursued his Engineering Degrees.

Mom took care of the home and raised four children.  Catherine was born while he was still an undergrad in 1950 with Ed Jr., Susan and Patricia following in 53, 56 and 58.  She accompanied us on school field trips, nursed our injuries, led Girl Scout troops and encouraged us to achieve college degrees. She was nourished by her habits of eating White Castle hamburgers and drinking Coke.

Crafts, crafts and more crafts are part of our earliest memories.  She always finished her projects and developed expertise before learning the next craft.  Ceramics, knitting, needlepoint, jewelry, weaving and beading to name a few.  She was creative and precise in her use of colors and patterns.  Also, she painted rooms, wallpapered, sold tupperware and balanced the checkbook.

Mom and Dad moved to Arizona in 1994 building the house outside of Tubac that she lived in until her death.  Although she would visit her children on special occasions, the place she would rather be was her home.  She spent her last days there in hospice care with her family by her side.

She lived a happy, fulfilled life and we are comforted by the love she received from family, friends and the Soulistic Hospice staff in her final days.