Obituary of Denise Marie (Johnson) Jackson

Denise M. (Johnson) Jackson, 60 years old, of Melbourne, FL passed awayon Tuesday, November 16th, 2021 at her home surrounded by her loving family. Denise was born in Taunton, Massachusetts on August 20th, 1961. She is predeceased by her parents, Robert (2013) and Edith (Unaitis) Johnson (2021). She was the sixth of seven children. Family meant everything to her.

Denise loved the Grateful Dead and danced her way around the country starting at an early age, following the music she loved. Her search for adventure led her to join the Army and while stationed in Germany she met Mark, who was her devoted husband for 38 years. They lived in Hawaii and then with Mark's retirement, she settled with her family in North Plains, Oregon, all before settling in Melbourne, FL for the last 17 years.

Denise started her 30 year career with the Post Office in Oregon before transferring to Florida. She was a hard worker and always tried to make sure people got their mail. Her many stories of her assisting the elderly in the many assisted living facilities were heartwarming. She was a bright light in their day and took the moments of listening and caring. She participated in the many food drives, filling her postal vehicle with pounds of food. When the Amazon packages started weighing more than she did, it was time to retire. She met many friends through her work. She worked side by side with many kindred spirits, whose friendship she cherished. 

Denise loved to travel and that she did. She traveled this country and the world with family and friends. She was always planning the next adventure. She enjoyed traveling with her husband and boys. There are many collages around her house showing all the adventures that the Jackson Clan did together. She traveled with the Melbourne Ski Club to Chine and Africa. Mark said, "Africa was one of her favorite trips!"

She was a member of the Canaveral Moonstone Gem Society. She found a new creative artistic outlet. She loved her"rocks", which she would "mine" on her various travel trips around the country and world. She found kindred creativity with that group and always with accolades with her fellow gem society members. She and Mark were involved and took pride in volunteering to help keep the club running with her newfound passion and family. 

She enjoyed photography, natural beauty, glass blowing, pottery, stained glass, gardening, motorcycling, thrift storing, sidewalk finds, and the beach which was a perfect place for her to sit and relax. She could spot a treasure. She has many medals from all the community half marathons that she walked in with friends and family. With her energy channeled, there was no stopping her. She was a true fan of the Boston Red Sox and the New England Patriots.

Denise leaves behind her devoted husband of 38 years Mark, their two sons Ian (IL) and Jason (Bensalem, PA), and 4 grandchildren Jamison, Vera, Connor, and Shane. She also leaves behind siblings, Teresa Lake (Deland, FL), Christopher Johnson (E. Taunton, MA), Thomas and companion Cheryl David (Attleboro Falls, MA), Daniel Johnson and companion Louise Andrade (Taunton, MA), Carole and her husband Craig (Stuart, FL), Robert Johnson and his wife Rebecca (Newton, NH), and several nieces and nephews that her generous spirit has enriched. To the many cousins, she loved you and found kindred spirits with you. To all her friends, you enriched her life as she surely did yours.

At 60, she felt like she had a great life. She was a free spirit, she saw the world and did what she wanted to do. She lived life as she imagined. We, who are left behind, think it was too early to go but she has always followed her own path. Dad and Mom, I am sure, guided her home to Eternal Unconditional Love. She has gained her wings and is onto the next adventure. She will be missed.

Until we meet again....Love and Light!