Joan Irene Jackson

Joan Irene Jackson (aka Mimi), beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away peacefully at her home in Fairfield, CT, on February 28, 2026, at the age of 89. She was surrounded by her loving family who played music, shared family memories, and funny stories of which there were many.

Joan was born on February 18, 1937, in Wallington, New Jersey, the daughter of Emery and Jennie Miskuff. Joan enjoyed an active and social high school life, focusing on friendships and fun. She played on the girls’ basketball team and often joked that although the team never won a single game, she enjoyed every minute of it.

After high school, she completed many college credits and spent her twenties traveling across the country with friends. Her adventures eventually took her as far as Hawaii, where she even took surfing lessons. She later settled in Anaheim, California, where she worked at Interstate Electronics and met her future husband, Gary.

After getting married, she and Gary moved to Fairfield, CT and have lived in the same house for over 54 years. She gave birth to two children, Jennifer Jackson and Kirk Jackson. In her later years, she became a secretary for a few different companies. The latest being the Center for Christian-Jewish Understanding of Sacred Heart University. She loved this job, especially the events planning portion and business trips to New York City.

Her childhood started all over again with the births of her two grandchildren, Johanna and Drew Jackson. She focused so much of her energy and love on these relationships and they were her greatest gift. She attended every sporting event, play, concert, and any other event she could possibly attend. Her and Gary took the grandkids on many trips, including Mount Washington, California, the Jersey Shore, and many trips to the lake house. Joan also relished our yearly Christmas trips to New York City.

She loved to dance to any music. Late in life, her family would play the song, “Jump Around” by Naughty by Nature, which became her jam (I don’t think she listened to the words too closely.) Joan had a gift for connecting with people and was loved by everyone who knew her. It seemed she could hardly leave Trader Joe’s without running into someone who wanted to stop and chat—or even give her flowers.

She never missed a chance to watch her grandchildren perform in choir or pageants at Southport Congregational Church. She especially loved taking Johanna to gymnastics and playing basketball with her grandson, Drew, and had a surprisingly good underhand free throw.

As we move forward, we will remember how Joan always looked for the positive and treasured her relationships with her friends and family. She will be deeply missed, but not forgotten.

Joan is survived by her husband Gary Jackson; her son Kirk Jackson; her daughter-in-law Cindy Jackson; her grandchildren: Johanna Jackson and Drew Jackson; and her son-in-law Ron Nauer. She is predeceased by her daughter Jennifer Jackson Nauer and both her brothers: Richard Miskuff and Bob Miskuff.

A special thank you to Compassus hospice in Milford, CT who helped us through this difficult and sacred process. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to Cure Alzheimer’s Fund, 100% of general donations go to their research program at curealz.org.