1923 – 2015

FARMINGTON — Dora E. Jackman, 92, died Friday, Nov. 20, at Pinewood Terrace in Farmington where she resided since 2012.

She was born Jan. 11, 1923, in Chesterville, the daughter of Harold and Etta (Richards) Merrill. She attended school in Chesterville. Dora was born during a very tough time in history, losing her mother to pneumonia, as well as her grandmother and grandfather in 1925. She became the lady of the house at 2 years old.

Dora worked at Livermore Shoe for several years. She was a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, neighbor and friend. In 1942, she married Cecil Jackman and together they raised three children in Fayette. After his passing in 1979, she moved to Darrington Road in Hartford with her companion, Albert Bickford. After his passing in 2007 she moved to Howes corner in Turner with her daughter, Lisa. Dora was known for her peanut butter fudge and molasses cookies. She cherished her pet dogs over the years and worked daily in her flower and vegetable gardens. Anxious to pick the fruits of her labor, you had to keep your tomatoes under lock and key in the garden.

She is survived by her children, Richard Jackman and his wife, Debbie, Arlene Wilkins and her companion, Tom Randall; daughter, Lisa Pratt and her husband, Robert; stepdaughter, Lois Gray; daughter-in-law, Molly Jackman,; and stepdaughter-in-law, Janice Jackman; 15 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.

She was predeceased by her parents; her husband, Cecil Jackman; a brother, Frank Merrill; companion, Albert Bickford; son-in-law, Colby Wilkins; and stepson, Harold Jackman.

The family would like to thank the Beacon Hospice staff for the wonderful care and services they provided Dora. They would also like to thank the wonderful staff at Pinewood Terrace for the care and loving friendship they gave Dora in the last 3 years, they made her feel like the special person who she was in her years that she spent there, making it her home away from home. 

www.wilesrc.com.